IC-NRLF 


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iffi 


G 


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PERSEPHONE 

A  Masque 
BY   ISAAC   FLAGG 


PAUL  ELDER  AND  COMPANY 

Publishers 
SAM  FBANCISCO 


X 


COPYRIGHT 

1916 
BY  ISAAC  PLAGG 


PERSEPHONE 

A 
Masque 


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PRINTED  AND  BOUND  BT 
THE  BOYCBOFTER8 
EAST  AUBOBA,  NEW  TOBK 


•  SCHEME   D 

PROLOGUE 

HERMES 

I 

By  the  Borders  of  Ocean 
OCEANIDES       PERSEPHONE       DEMETER 

II 
By  the  Grove  of  the  Hamadryads  and  the  Mansion 

made  Desolate 
DEMETER  SELENE  HAMADRYADS 

III 

At  the  Home  of  Eumolpus  in  Eleusis 
EUMOLPTJS     COUNCILLORS     AN  AGED  MINSTREL 

CALLITHOE         DEMO         DEMETER 
METANEIRA  IAMBE  SERVANTS 

IV 

By  the  Entrance  to  the  Lower  World 
HERMES  PLUTO  PERSEPHONE 

V 

By  the  House  of  Eumolpus 

CHILDREN       IAMBE       METANEIRA       CALLITHOE 

DEMO  EUMOLPUS        COUNCILLORS 

DEMETER        IRIS 

EPILOGUE 

In  the  Temple  at  Eleusis  . 

[5] 


PERSEPHONE 


•  PROLOGUE  • 

By  the  Borders  of  Ocean 

HERMES 

Between  the  bounds 
Of  light  and  darkness  my  commission  is 
To  mediate,  when  from  the  vaulted  heaven 
Some  swift  decisive  errand  by  my  hand 
The  Father  warrants  for  these  nether  worlds, 
Be  his  solicitude  for  brief  transient  lives 
Or  the  soul's  final  destiny  in  store. 
He  wills,  he  nods.  Then,  as  a  falling  star 
That  scars  the  welkin  with  a  chain  of  fire 
And  mortals  say,  Behold  !  there  speaks  a  sign, 
So  to  terrestrial  regions  I  dart  down, 
As  now.  Or,  sometime,  to  that  lower  realm, 
A  ghostly  monarch's  yet  unfear'd  domain. 
It  is  a  token  touching  both  him  and  those 
Who  own  his  sway  not  yet,  that  I  this  hour 
Bring  from  imperial  heaven. — Nor  need  they  see 
Nor  listen,  when  thus  some  mandate  I  proclaim 
To  the  frail  mortal  dwellers  of  this  sphere. 
Let  but  the  fixt  omnipotent  will  ordain, 
Then  shall  it  surely  find  each  human  soul. 

[7] 


PERSEPHONE 

Unheard,  yet  shall  it  thrill  them ;  and  their  hearts 
Shall  learn,  not  comprehending.  'T  is  as  if, 
Planting  intelligence  with  painless  sting, 
The  winged  lightning  spread  the  tidings  wide 
In  infinite  direction. 

O,  thrice  blest ! 

If  men  but  knew  the  bliss  that  wraps  them  now ; 
Moved  they  not  all-unconscious  through  the  years, 
As  children  hold  no  measure  to  compare 
And  estimate  their  gladness.  Even  no  name 
Find  these  for  their  own  era  of  the  world, 
Which  with  admiring  envious  regret 
Less  happy  cycles  will  look  back  upon 
And  voice  their  praises  of  the  Age  of  Gold. 
When  every  hour  is  golden,  by  what  touch 
Of  disillusion  ;  by  what  cunning  mark 
Shall  its  transcendent  quality  be  made  known 
To  the  untroubled  spirit? — A  long  dream 
More  soft  than  slumber,  brighter  than  the  dawn 
That  wakes  on  fresh  dews  of  the  starry  night, 
In  the  unsullied  day's  fulfilment  merged. 
Not  yet  those  designations  fit  the  tongue. 
Which  through  succeeding  ages  shall  be  rife, 
Envy,  injustice,  wrath  and  war.  Not  yet 

[8] 


PROLOGUE 


Are  laws  and  punishments.  No  boundary  stone 

Severs  the  fields.  No  bark  defies  the  deep. 

They  buy  and  sell  not,  seek  no  foreign  shore. 

Not  yet  the  ploughman's  labor  :  earth  unvext, 

Untill'd,  unaided  yields  its  increase.  Full 

Flow  its  pellucid  fountains  ;  while  the  vine 

Trailing  luxuriant,  purple-laden,  lends 

A  nectar 'd  moiety. — Existence  thus 

Begun,  the  end  is  easy.  Life's  supreme 

Crown  of  beatitude,  euthanasy, 

Awaits  their  welcome  :  burthenless  old  age, 

Mellow'd  and  unrepining,  fades  in  sleep. 

Nor  deem  the  rest,  that  these  though  lost  are  gone. 

Not  lost,  though  absent ;  present,  though  unseen  : 

Benign  superior  spirits  hovering  still 

In  the  same  spotless  world. 

Alas  ! 

Of  aeons,  as  of  lives,  there  comes  an  end. 
Time  and  the  message  I  voice  now,  confirm 
The  fateful  word,  this  Golden  Age  must  pass  ; 
By  its  successor  dispossess'd,  as  when 
The  sombre  leaflet  triumphs  o'er  the  green. 
This  day  their  sun  to  his  last  setting  sinks, 
To  greet  no  other  unregretful  morn, 

[9] 


PERSEPHONE 

••••»       -^— •>.•—"•«—•••.«•••..•— »•>•—•>  ,.^».,,,«BK,.^».l 

No  other  scatheless  passage  through  the  hours. 
No  more  from  toil  and  megrim  free,  content 
To  bide  the  morrow,  of  its  blessing  sure, 
Shall  each  receive  unsought  his  portion  due 
Of  nature's  bounty  ;  nor  unenvied  hold 
That  which  his  labor  wins.  Sorrow  and  joy 
In  jalousied  admixture  fain  to  quaff 
From  the  same  cup,  such  potion  they  will  deem 
Tolerable,  be  not  the  bitter  share 
Pour'd  in  excess.  Strange  phantoms  of  disease, 
Ill-boding  choir,  will  chant  a  shrill  refrain, 
With  ceaseless  menace,  at  the  doors  of  all 
Doom'd  to  be  born  hereafter.  Now  no  more 
Shall  painless  dissolution  smooth  the  seam 
Marking  pale  memory's  hardly  sunder'd  tie  ; 
But  in  their  prime,  or  youth,  or  infancy 
One  from  another  rudely  snatch'd,  full  oft, 
As  the  frail  sapling  by  fierce  whirlwind  snapt, 
Shall  loved  ones  out  of  loving  arms  be  torn  ; 
While  vainly  into  the  darksome  gulf,  that  yawns 
Beyond  the  funeral-pile,  each  frantic  cry 
Of  prayerful  lamentation  shall  be  flung, — 
To  him,  the  pitiless,  the  inexorable. 
Saddest  of  litanies — nor  like  to  those 
Which,  not  unanswered,  unto  us  betimes 

[10] 


PROLOGUE 

With  mourning  shall  ascend. 

It  was  a  need 

Of  mediation  'twixt  the  visible  world 
And  shadow'd  mystery — a  concession  due 
To  powers  that  shall  unheeded  dwell  no  more, 
Moved  the  supernal  ruler  to  decree 
The  passing  of  an  unconscious  happy  age 
Into  the  troublous  phase  of  care  and  strife, 
Wonder  and  doubt  and  strange  bewilderment, 
With  glimmering  hopes  suffused ;  to  guide  the  soul 
By  thoughtful  stages  of  inquietude 
Along  the  mortal  journey  to  its  bourn. 
Wayfaring  nobler  than,  rapt,  with  no  gauge, 
No  touchstone  of  comparison,  so  to  live 
As  if  they  lived  not.  Now  shall  men  be  led 
To  seek  and  never  find ;  to  crave,  to  yearn 
Without  possessing  ;  to  question,  but  not  know. 
Nor  can  attainment  or  dull  respite  follow, 
To  pall  the  spirit  with  complacent  pride. 

Here,  where  the  sleepless  stream 
Of  coiling  Ocean,  in  broad  cincture  clasp'd 
About  the  medial  earth,  murmurs  response 
To  light  airs  by  its  margent  stealing ;  mirrors 

[ii] 


PERSEPHONE 

.«•••.—•»•••.•»•»>•••»•>••-•  <>.«•.:,.«»,.  «•».<,.•••....•••., 

Each  fleecy  cloud ;  and  laps  this  shelving  strand 
Starr'd  with  gay  blossoms  of  eternal  spring  ; — 
Here,  nigh  to  yonder  cliff,  whereby  even  now 
Perchance  grim  terror  lurks  : — hither  will  point 
Back  solemnly  through  immemorial  years 
Tradition's  finger,  while  ten-thousand  tones 
Of  rapt,  inspired  minstrelsy  resound 
In  every  clime,  this  scene  to  celebrate, 
Spread  for  the  mystic  union  of  two  worlds — 
Scene  of  Life  beauteous,  blithesome,  innocent, 
Wedded  to  Death  ! 

Nathless,  not  all  in  vain, 
Mother  divine,  shall  the  sad  torches  burn 
To  light  the  agonized,  far-roaming  quest 
Of  thy  bereavement ;  nor  quite  fruitless  fall 
The  scourge  of  thy  displeasure  on  the  fields  ; 
When,  by  that  barren  spectacle  of  woe 
And  image  of  thyself  disconsolate 
To  pious  intervention  moved,  the  Father 
(My  faithful  heralding  invoked  again) 
Wrests  from  reluctant  Erebus  the  bride 
Seized  as  for  sole  possession  :  now  as  twain, 
Alternate  solace  of  the  one-half  year, 
In  equal  sharing  to  thy  bosom  press'd. 

[12] 


PROLOGUE 


O  fortunate,  benignant  resting-place 

And  harbor  to  that  wandering  search  forlorn  ; 

Chosen  recipient  of  profoundest  lore, 

Won  from  renascent  nature's  grateful  hand, 

Happy  Eleusis  ! — whose  fane,  consecrate 

To  the  half -rescued  and  the  half -consoled, 

Mother  and  Daughter,  shall  conserve  and  guard, 

Closing  religious  lips  with  seal  of  gold, 

Their  secret,  who  from  mystic  visions  reap 

Hopes   that   are   sweeter ;   from    the   awakening, 

through 
The  great  transition,  to  the  end  unseen. 

The  hour  draws  nigh.  The  conscious  soil  awaits 

Pressure  of  lightsome  footsteps ;  and  each  flower, 

With  melancholy  chalice,  droops  and  leans  ; 

As  by  divine  anticipation  prone 

To  yield  its  being  up  beneath  the  touch 

Of  fair  immortal  fingers. — Hark  !  what  strain 

Of  virginal  voices  this  way  floating  breathes 

Faint  symptom  of  approach?  Ye  nymphs  of  Ocean, 

Parent  sublime,  how  fittingly  your  choir 

Surrounds  the  sweet  Earth-daughter  ;  whilst  not  far, 

LulFd  to  forgetful,  unsuspecting  sleep, 

The  Mother  rests  ;  nor  should  in  dreams  surmise 

[13] 


PERSEPHONE 

Peril  mid  those  of  her  own  impulse  born, 

Iris  and  crocus,  violet,  hyacinth  ; 

And  ah  !  fair  tempter,  charged  with  deathly  spell, 

Narcoma — thou  the  lure,  narkissos.  O  ! 

Too  lovely  emblem,  fated  to  recall 

The  passing  of  this  hour. 

Now  it  behooves 

To  spurn  the  disc  of  dull,  inferior  earth, 
Which  the  wing'd  sandal  hath  not  scorn'd  to  tread 
Thus  long,  and  seek  ethereal  spheres,  unchoked 
By  the  thick  air  of  time  and  circumstance. 
Ascend  !  ascend  !  [Exit] 


[14 


PERSEPHONE 


By  the  Borders  of  Ocean  ;  as  in  Prologue 
OCEANIDES  PERSEPHONE  DEMETER 

The  lay  of  the  OCEAN  NYMPHS  is  sung  behind  the 
scenes  by  their  LEADER,  with  refrain  by  all  in  unison. 

(Song) 
When  oft  these  thoughts  it  may  beseem 

To  crave  the  sanction  of  our  sire, 
Emerging  from  his  quenchless  stream 

Gladly  I  lead  my  tuneful  choir 
j  With  earthly  spirits  join'd  in  glee, 
(  Demeter  and  Persephone. 

Their  smiling  meadows  comelier  lie, 

Whose  edge  our  father's  eddies  lave, 
Than  pearls  with  crimson  coral  vie 

Beneath  his  green  translucent  wave  : 
f  When  the  twain  wander  here  with  me, 
(.  Demeter  and  Persephone. 

Gay  chaplets  to  their  brows  we  bind 

Of  flowers  with  sweetest  fragrance  fraught, 

For  ring-round  dances  deftly  twined 
To  us  by  circling  waters  taught ; 

[15] 


PERSEPHONE 


(  Nor  they  less  frolicsome  than  we, 
{  Demeter  and  Persephone. 

The  while  in  turn  for  us  they  make 

Light  airs  through  piny  verdure  play, 
Aeolian  melodies  awake 

In  answer  to  my  roundelay  ; 
(  As  ours  their  bounding  pulses  free, 
I  Demeter  and  Persephone. 

Soon  as  yon  cloud's  soft  splendor  yields 

To  deepening  shades  of  dusky  eve, 
What  powers  caress  the  willing  fields? 
Persuade  each  seedlet  to  conceive? 
f  Lead  forth  the  scion  from  the  tree? — 
1  Demeter  and  Persephone. 

By  heaven  to  earth's  embraces  sent 

Since  order'd  purposes  begun, 
The  Daughter  with  the  Mother  blent — 

These  move  and  breathe  as  two  in  one ; 
(  Nor  can  such  bond  dissever'd  be, 
(  Demeter  and  Persephone. 


[16] 


PERSEPHONE 


[Enter  PERSEPHONE  with  OCEAN  NYMPHS.  She  is  at 
first  attended  closely  by  their  LEADER,  while  the  others 
remain  apart,  gathering  flowers.] 

PERSEPHONE 

O  !  how  the  scented  air  doth  tempt  to  probe 
Its  secret  in  some  petal' d  casket  hidden. 

LEADER 

Thy  mother  said,  stray  not  far,  whilst  herself 
By  slumbrous  mood  o'ermaster'd  turn'd  to  rest. 

PERSEPHONE 

Near  !  near  !  not  far,  coils  of  fine  incense  rise 
As  from  some  drowsy  region  trod  in  dreams — 

LEADER 

Ay,  many  a  blossom  prompteth  us,  that  ever 
Thou  wert  a  dreamy  child,  Persephone. 

PERSEPHONE 

Some  drowsy  region  where  we  rove  not  yet : 
Where  sleep  might  be  our  waking ;  waking,  sleep. 

[17] 


PERSEPHONE 


LEADER 

As  now  thy  mother  slumbers  watchful,  and  thou 
Dost  grope  unwatchful  mid  the  scenes  of  light. 

PERSEPHONE 

Weird  dimness  closes  round  the  light,  and  there 
One  golden  starry  visage  burns  alone. 

LEADER 
The  flower  hath  charm'd  thee ;  and  methinks  in 

truth 
Of  thee  't  is  worthy,  for  thy  hands  only  sprung. 

[The  LEADER  withdraws  to  her  companions.] 

PERSEPHONE 
[Bending  over  the  narcissus] 

What  spell, 

Sweet  flower  !  what  potent  counsel  strange 
Thy  winsome  grace  divine 
With  soul-beguiling  fragrance  could  combine, 
So  toward  unearthly  visions  of  new  change 
My  helpless  fancy  to  compel ! 

[18] 


PERSEPHONE 

•••»'••••»•  ••^K'  •.«*!«•'.••».  l«»  •     «^.. 

Once  more  I  once  more 
Ensnared  in  dark  bewildering  somnolence 
Reflective  reason  halts  I  Once  more 
With  centred  sight  intense 
My  ravish'd  spirit  seems 
Through  the  reopen'd  eye  of  dreams 
This  sovereign  heavenly  blossom  to  behold 
New-throned  mid  sombre,  grave  magnificence  I 

Lol 

Free  of  its  sever'd  stem 
Shines  the  corolla  as  a  diadem 

Clasping  a  queenly  brow  : 

Once  fair  as  day,  but  now 
Pale  with  a  sad  mysterious  light ; 
Dark-eyed  and  beautiful  as  night, 
Half  of  immortal,  half  of  earthly  mould. — 

O,  rouse  me  I  let  me  wake  I 

Myself  that  crown  to  take, — 
Myself  shall  wear  it — 

[As  she  stoops  with  both  hands  outstretched  to  pluck 
the  flower,  the  gigantic  figure  of  PLUTO,  whose  black 
steeds  come  partially  into  view  beyond  the  cliff, 
advances  swiftly  and  silently  behind  her,  seizes  her  by 
the  waist  and  bears  her  away.] 

[19] 


PERSEPHONE 


PERSEPHONE 
O,  whither  ! — release  me  ! 

O,  save  me  ! 

My  mother,  save  me  !  O,  where?  where  art  thou? 
[Enter  DEMETER  from  the  side  near  the  group  of 
nymphs.] 

DEMETER 

[To  the  NYMPHS,  who  are  in  commotion] 
That  voice  !  that  cry  ! — 

[Looking  about  her]  Persephone  !  my  child  ! — 
Not  with  you? 

LEADER 
O,  mother,  mother  Demeter  ! 

DEMETER 
What?  where? 

LEADER 

Thither  !  thither,  the  cliff  ! 
Borne  by  an  awful  shape  ! 

DEMETER 

O  heaven  ! 
Shape  human? 

LEADER 

Human?  what  is  that? 
Art  thou,  Demeter,  human? 

[20] 


PERSEPHONE 


DEMETER 

Too  nearly,  though  immortal ! — 
Thou  also,  O  my  child  !— But  lost?  lost? 
Nay  !  nay,  the  immortal  part 
Loss  cannot  know  ; 

And  that  which  links  her  to  this  sphere, 
A  mother's  quest  shall  find  it,  far  or  near  ! — 
Ye  powers  above  which  have  this  fate  decreed, 
Wait !  wait,  and  ye  shall  bend 
Before  Demeter  ! 
And  thou  black  earth, 
If  thy  broad  bosom  hath 
Ken  of  Persephone, 
Let  me  forever  scour  it  to  the  end  ! 
By  night  the  torch,  by  day  the  tireless  eye — 
And  pour  my  sorrow  and  my  wrath, 
Fell  mixture,  far  and  wide  ! 
They,  too,  by  losing  shall  my  anguish  try. 
This  bleeding  heart 

Throbs  not  without  requital  of  its  pain  ! 
Forth  !  forth  ! 
To  seek,  to  wail,  to  languish,  to  regain  ! 

[Exit] 


[21] 


PERSEPHONE 


OCEAN  NYMPHS 

(Song) 

Now  no  longer  may  we  stand 
On  the  unfamiliar  land  : 
Father  Ocean  calls  us  home 
To  the  grottoes  and  the  foam. 
There  upon  our  days  no  strange 

Shock  of  parting  and  profound 
Sense  of  melancholy  change 

Comes  to  mar  their  blissful  round, 


His  slow-circling  waters  deep 

Round  the  earth  untroubled  sweep. 

Its  impatient  runlets  flee 

To  his  endless  harmony. 

There  no  discord  breaks  our  dreams, 

Robs  the  heart  of  fancies  fair  ; 
One  day  like  another  seems, 

Our  delights  are  always  there. 


[22] 


PERSEPHONE 


With  his  partner  in  the  skies 
Ocean's  pulses  fall  and  rise, 
To  her  true  responses  near 
From  the  crescent  to  the  sphere. 
No  vague  signs  our  pathway  cross, 

Searching  grove  and  wilderness  ; 
No  regrets  of  love  and  loss 

On  our  virgin  bosoms  press. 


When  these  nightly  thoughts  incline 
Toward  our  stars,  some  strain  divine 
Wafted  from  that  heavenly  choir 
Compasseth  our  heart's  desire. 
Time  nor  task  our  father  knows, 

For  no  peaceful  end  he  yearns  : 
From  itself  his  current  flows 

And  unto  itself  returns. 

[Exeunt] 


[23] 


PERSEPHONE 


II 


By  the  Grove  of  the  Hamadryads  and  the  Mansion 
made  Desolate. 

DEMETER  SELENE  HAMADRYADS 

(Dirge) 

[Heard  at  eventide  in  the  autumn  season,  of  voices 
within  the  mansion  with  open  windows] 

FIRST  VOICE 

(of  aged  man) 
It  was  not  time  ; 
Not  yet 't  was  time. 

SECOND  VOICE 

(of  aged  woman) 
So  in  his  early  prime — 
O  !  in  his  prime. 

FIRST  VOICE 
Ere  now  it  came  not  so. 
Ourselves  were  ripe  to  go  ; 
Ourselves  to  fade,  to  sleep. 

[24] 


PERSEPHONE 


SECOND  VOICE 

This  thing  we  do  not  know. 
O  !  why  for  sudden  blow, 
Why  must  we  weep? 


CHORUS 

(of  mingled  voices) 

Themselves  were  ripe  to  go. 
They  do  not  know, 
For  sudden  cruel  blow 

Why  they  must  weep. 
Ere  now  it  came  not  so. 
Themselves  were  ripe  to  go  ; 

To  fade,  to  sleep. 


FIRST  VOICE 

Not  yet,  not  yet  had  he 
Lived,  of  himself  to  see 
New  lives  arise  and  bloom, 
But  by  an  early  doom 
His  own  laid  low. 

[25] 


PERSEPHONE 

SECOND  VOICE 
The  axe  laid  to  the  tree  ! — 
O  !  for  what  cause  are  we 
Lingering  in  vacant  gloom? 
And  he  swept  to  the  tomb 
From  youthful  glow  ! 

CHORUS 

They  lingering  in  the  gloom, 
And  he  swept  to  the  tomb 

From  youthful  glow. 
The  axe  laid  to  the  tree. 
He  had  not  lived  to  see 
New  lives  arise  and  bloom, 
But  by  an  early  doom 
His  own  laid  low. 

[The  funeral  procession  following  the  bier  moves  from 
the  mansion.  As  it  passes  from  the  scene  DEMETER,  in 
mourning  garb  and  bearing  a  smoking  torch,  enters  on 
the  other  side  by  the  grove.] 

DEMETER 

Ay  !  these  perceive,  the  autumn  of  the  world 
Portendeth  more  than  harvest  and  fair  fruits. 

[26] 


PERSEPHONE 

Not  every  shorn  leaf  that  comes  whirling  down 
Hath  of  a  timely  spring  remembrance,  but 
Full  many  a  bourgeon  did  arrive  too  late. 
O,  have  ye  dream'd,  ye  mortal  sojourners, 
That  this  long  human  childhood  should  endure? 
And,  while  ourselves  of  deathless  stamp  must  groan 
And  grope  with  the  half -kindled  torch,  that  ye 
Might  through  a  life  of  imperception  reap 
The  fruitage  of  experience  sans  the  pain  ! — 
Nor,  if  the  awakening  bend  your  necks  to  earth, 
Blame  ye  Demeter,  who  herself  by  fate 
Struggles  enmesh'd  and  sees  not  to  the  end. — 
O  !  wherefore  should  my  share  in  this  fell  maze 
Of  mingled  day  and  darkness  be  that  framed 
For  agonies  of  severance  and  despair? 
Empty  as  yonder  desolate  mansion  feels 
The  heart  that  did  with  double  fulness  beat. 
Where  art  thou,  O  my  daughter?  thou  the  fairest, 
The  freshest  portion  of  my  being,  torn 
Rudely  away,  leaving  this  mournful  remnant 
That  rather  should  in  nothingness  dissolve 
Than  thus  cry  blindly  for  its  dearer  part ! — 
Come  forth  !  come  forth,  some  spirit,  some  deity 
That  hast  a  far-discerning  sense  denied 
To  this  bewilder 'd  weary  questioner  : 

[27] 


PERSEPHONE 

'•«»0«0»<)«T».  .«»-,) -«BE*l>.«^.  'HPMP-f  '•*•»- !>«C»i)  «^»1 

Or  from  the  skies  or  from  the  rotting  mould 
Heap'd  by  the  boles  of  these  denuded  trees 
Come  forth  !  Tell  me  ;  O,  tell  me, 
Where  is  my  daughter?  where? 
Where  is  Persephone? 

[DEMETER  sinks  to  her  knee  as  the  full  moon  just  ris 
ing  suddenly  emerges  from  a  bank  of  clouds  and  floods 
the  empty  mansion  with  light.  At  the  head  of  the  stair 
way  leading  to  its  main  entrance  the  MOON  GODDESS 
appears,  wearing  a  saffron  robe  and  a  crown  of  silver.} 

SELENE 

Demeter,  parent  of  seasons,  giver  to  earth 
Of  its  green  cheer  and  freshness,  why  thyself 
Dost  make  such  moan  in  dismal  garb  forlorn? 

DEMETER 

O,  would,  Selene,  above  this  soil  thy  lot 
Of  virginal  remoteness  had  been  mine  ! 

SELENE 

Slight  not  thy  nearer  destiny,  Demeter  ; 
Nor  deem  my  cold  tranquility  worth  more 
Than  thy  true  motherhood  with  all  its  pains. 

[28] 


PERSEPHONE 

MMM4AMMRMMMM 

DEMETER 

So  easy  is  it  for  them  that  have  not  felt, 
The  worth  of  others'  feeling  to  apprize. 

SELENE 

Yet 't  was  thine  own  plaint,  that  not  yet  thou  seest 
The  end  whither  thou  tendest. — But  my  eye 
Leaves  of  the  earthly  tract  no  eoigne  unview'd. 

DEMETER 

O  !  bring'st  thou,  then,  from  that  all-seeing  round 
Some  tiding,  O  Selene,  of  my  child? 

SELENE 

Not  by  this  vesper  radiance  alone 
Scan  I  the  nether  orb,  but  in  full  day 
With  silvery  shy  effulgence  't  is  survey'd — 

DEMETER 

And  nowhere  to  that  circling  argent,  nor 
To  the  pale  saffron  halo  beam'd  a  sign? 

SELENE 

With  many  a  sidewise  glance,  or  face  to  face, 
By  plain  or  mountain,  or  by  the  salty  edge 
Of  Ocean  heaving  to  my  bosom's  spell. 

[29] 


PERSEPHONE 

»••••»•"•«••*• -*™» -••«•»•<• 

DEMETER 

There,  there  fell  on  my  anguish' d  waking  ear 
The  vanishing  cry  of  lost  Persephone. 

SELENE 

Not  at  that  hour  my  slender  crescent  hung 
Nigh  to  those  flowery  borders.  I  saw  not 
Thy  daughter's  ravisher  nor  herself  bewray'd. 

DEMETER 

O  !  even,  then,  to  the  whole  monthly  vigil's  end 
From  thee,  Selene,  could  that  face  be  hidden? 

SELENE 

Of  the  overworld  no  denizen  is  she  ; 
Earth's  sunny  surface,  whence  her  joyous  hand 
The  rose  and  lily  pluck'd,  knows  her  no  more. 

DEMETER 
O  !  whither  tend  thy  ominous  words,  Selene? 

SELENE 
In  the  underworld  thy  daughter  now,  Demeter, 

DEMETER 
Say  it  not !  heaven's  offspring  cannot  brook  the  tale. 

[30] 


PERSEPHONE 


SELENE 

Sits,  the  pale  consort  of  its  lord. — Such  doom 
In  her  swift  trackless  passing  read  I  clear 
And  in  the  Father's  prescient,  grave  designs  ; 
Wherein  thyself,  Demeter,  mightst  not  share, 
Since  in  thyself  those  purposes  should  find 
A  suffering  instrument. 

DEMETER 

O,  truly  chosen ! 

SELENE 

Some  bond  there  needed,  to  link  inseparably 
The  unthinking  human  world  with  the  profound 
Mysterious  sphere  to  Pluto's  charge  assign'd. 
Though  deathless  be  thy  daughter,  yet  she  dieth  ; 
Ravish'd  from  life  she  liveth  still. 

DEMETER 

O  fate  ! 

And  pitiless  schemes  inscrutable,  to  pierce 
And  rend  in  twain  this  quivering  mother  heart, 
For  that  likewise  each  human  parent  might  learn 
Some  secret  of  new  pangs. — But  for  them,  too, 
As  for  myself,  will  I  reclaim  to  earth — 

[31] 


PERSEPHONE 

To  earth,  my  province  and  my  tender  charge, 
Through  its  own  devastation,  its  own  pain 
This  intimate  inseparably  link'd  bond, 
Our  child,  my  child  Persephone  ! 

[Kneeling  again  and  smiting  the  ground  repeatedly 
and  powerfully  with  her  smouldering  torch} 

Hear  thou  !  hear  thou  ! 
Aidoneus  !  Aidoneus  ! 
Hear  !  in  thy  dark  demesnes, 
Whose  shore,  being  deathless  I  may  not  invade 
Save  with  this  stern,  sure  menace  ;  hear  ! 
Yield  up  !  yield  up  thy  prey  ! 

Aidoneus  !  Aidoneus  ! 
Hear  thou  !  hear  thou  ! 
Yield  up  !  yield  up  ! 
Thou,  thou  shalt  heed  Demeter. 
[Rising,  she  extends  the  torch  upward.] 

Hear  now,  ye  powers  supernal ;  between  whom 
And  the  infernal  lies  this  sodden  earth, 
Whereof  by  fell  concession  ye  pretend 
The  weal  to  foster  :  hear  !  hear  ye  Demeter  ! 
Now  on  the  same  earth,  your  fond  care,  shall  fall 
Foul  blight  and  famine,  drouth,  and  vegetal  death. 
The  tree  shall  wither  and  the  brook  run  dry. 

[32] 


PERSEPHONE 


All  things  shall  droop  and  sink  ;  not  one  shall  spring. 

Through  a  weary,  long,  intolerable  year 

Man,  beast,  and  plant  shall  hunger,  thirst,  and  faint, 

Till  for  deliverance  yourselves  cry  out 

In  fervent  supplication  ;  nor  shall  that 

Avail,  save  in  the  promised  end. — 'T  is  said. 


SELENE 

Not  by  dark  wood,  nor  cave,  nor  desert  sands 
In  all  my  veering  pathway  o'er  the  lands 
Wrath  fiercer  have  I  seen  nor  grief  more  wild 
Than  the  robb'd  parent  mourning  for  its  child, 


DEMETER 
Love  left  unto  its  own 

Of  anger  hath  no  need  ; 
What  vengeance  can  atone 

When  these  fond  fibres  bleed  ! 


SELENE 

Though  on  the  innocent  such  ire  descend?— 
Could  gentle  dryads  thy  proud  soul  offend? 

[33] 


PERSEPHONE 


DEMETER 
The  dryad  and  the  gnome 

Must  answer  for  their  birth 
On  earth  they  found  a  home, 

Their  portion  is  of  earth. 


SELENE 

For  its  appointed  hour  each  portion  waits  ; 
Thou  add'st  untimely  passing  to  their  fates. 

[The   HAMADRYADS   have  gradually  become  dimly 
visible  among  the  trees.] 


A  DRYAD 

(sings) 
If  so  my  tree  must  perish 

My  own  life-course  is  run  ; 
Hers  is  the  soul  I  cherish, 

My  tree  and  I  are  one. 
Living  I  would  not  leave  her, 
Nor  dying  can  bereave  her  ; 
No  sigh  I  breathe  shall  grieve  her ; 

Our  task  of  love  is  done. 

[34] 


PERSEPHONE 


DEMETER 
Ye  win  a  happier  lot, 

When  both  to  rest  are  gone, 
Than  they  who  perish  not, 

But,  parted,  must  live  on. 

SELENE 

Not  two  in  one,  but  one  aloof,  alone — 
It  only  can  eternal  calmness  own. 

ANOTHER  DRYAD 
We  two  were  born  together, 

This  tender  tree  and  I. 
In  rain  and  sunny  weather 

We  grew  beneath  the  sky. 
We  bathed  us  in  the  showers, 
We  laugh'd  among  the  flowers 
Together  through  the  hours  ; 

Together  we  will  die. 

DEMETER 
Together  wakes  a  tone 

Of  rapture  in  the  heart. 
Ye  lived — and  have  not  known 

That  other  word,  apart. 

[35] 


PERSEPHONE 


SELENE 

Twice  blest  the  soul  which  through  unending  years 
Neither  the  one  word  nor  the  other  hears. 

ANOTHER  DRYAD 
When  autumn  breezes  sever 

These  brown  leaves  from  the  stem 
It  is  a  sorrow  ever 

To  say  farewell  to  them. 
This  time  my  tree  is  taking 
The  sleep  that  hath  no  waking, 
And  I  my  moan  am  making 

Her  final  requiem. 

DEMETER 
And  if  ye  rest  in  peace 

Your  sorrows  are  forgot. 
They  who  must  seek  release 

In  memory,  find  it  not. 

SELENE 

Till,  haply,  lifted  from  this  troublous  scene 
Their  spirits  hover  in  my  heights  serene. 

[The  moon  is  again  hidden  by  clouds  and  the  scene 
left  in  darkness.] 

[36] 


PERSEPHONE 

PMMM 
III 

At  the  home  of  EUMOLPUS  in  Eleusis.  The  Council 
of  Elders  seated  at  the  vestibule. 
EUMOLPUS      COUNCILLORS     AN  AGED  MINSTREL 
CALLITHOE     DEMO     DEMETER     METANEIRA 
IAMBE  SERVANTS 

EUMOLPUS 

My  lords,  the  time  is  ripe — as  't  is  not  long 
Since  stood  likewise  the  increase  of  our  fields 
In  veritable  ripeness — the  hour  's  at  hand 
When  for  that  easy-gather'd  store  we  pay 
To  the  benignant,  ever  watchful  Mother 
Due  offering  of  thanks.  Mark  yonder  pile, 
Thatch'd  guaranty  of  barley  thresh'd  and  housed  ; 
Yon  rows  of  oil-jars  ;  honey  strain'd,  milk  flowing 
Furnish  the  tithe  acceptable,  we  the  praise. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR 

Praise  verily  and  choicest  fruits  we  owe 
For  past  care  to  Demeter.  But  not  less 
The  future  craves  of  sparing  kindly  grace 
From  the  same  hand  divine.  Signs  are  to  note 
Of  stress  and  dearth ;  too  long,  too  dry  creeps  on 
The  rainless  interval ;  some  springs  run  low. 

[37] 


PERSEPHONE 


SECOND  COUNCILLOR 

Ay,  for  the  winter  plowing,  sire,  the  wheat, 
An  anxious  thought  I  harbor.  So  the  kine 
Seem  restless  and  athirst. 

EUMOLPUS 

'T  is  well ;  't  is  well. 

The  saving  deities  will  not  slight  this  land. 
To  us  their  favor  hath  been  ever  near, 
At  heart  their  worship.  Mother  and  Daughter  need 
No  farther  than  Eleusis  press,  to  find 
Of  earthly  homes  the  surest. — Go  we  now 
Each  to  his  central  hearth,  the  household  shrine. 
There  with  full  hand  your  solemn  gifts  renew, 
With  vows  of  deprecation,  if  need  be. 
Both  shall  avail,  should  no  mischance  belie 
My  hopeful  auguries. 

THIRD  COUNCILLOR 

Fair  omens  wait 

Even  now,  Eumolpus,  on  thy  word.  Behold 
Our  herald  of  cheer,  the  bard.      [Enter  MINSTREL] 

EUMOLPUS 

Unwelcome  never, 

Now  in  strict  season,  hail,  sir  minstrel !  hail ! 
Hail  to  thy  harp. 

[38] 


PERSEPHONE 


MINSTREL 

O  gracious  chief,  each  hour, 
Each  season  hath  its  tones,  its  harmony 
Of  mingled  promise  and  regret. 

EUMOLPUS 

Ay,  true. 
We  sit  to  celebrate  it ;  sound  the  strain. 

MINSTREL 
[Sweeping  the  strings  of  his  harp,  sings.] 

If  autumn  have  a  sadder  side 

I  care  not  now  to  sing  it ; 
My  theme  is  happy  harvest-tide, 

And  grateful  words  I  bring  it. 

Behind  is  panting  summer  fled, 
Safe  lies  the  slighted  quarry. 

Fast  by  her  flowery  lair  hath  sped 
The  seasons'  eager  foray  ; 

While  surly  winter  stands  at  bay, 
Biding  the  foremost  comer — 

An  hour  that  holds  apart  the  day 
Of  winter  and  of  summer. 

[39] 


C3  PERSEPHONE 

The  huntsman's  horn  an  echo  leaves, 
In  plaintive  cadence  falling. — 

The  reaper  pauses  mid  the  sheaves, 
His  ancient  dream  recalling. 

Faint  whiffs  afloat  of  woodland  fire 
Vague  memories  awaken ; 

The  spring-tide  of  his  heart's  desire, 
Old  fancies  long  forsaken. 

Through  hazy  air  he  sees  afar 
The  serried  summits  quiver. — 

Then  nearer  signs  the  vision  mar  : 
Two  graves  beside  the  river  ; 

The  grain-field  of  its  bounty  shorn, 
The  vine  stript  of  its  cluster  ; 

No  bird-note  on  the  breezes  borne, 
No  flower  to  lend  its  lustre. — 

SECOND  COUNCILLOR 

Truly,  methinks  our  singer  gravitates 
Toward  the  unwelcome  side. 

[40] 


PERSEPHONE 


EUMOLPUS 

Too  many  years 
Teach  him  the  reaper's  lesson. — Nay,  sing  on  ! 

MINSTREL 
If  autumn  have  a  sadder  side 

Why  turn  I  now  to  sing  it? 
My  theme  is  happy  harvest-tide, 

And  cheerful  words  I  bring  it. 

What  though  the  grape  no  longer  glows, 

By  leafy  covert  shielded? 
The  wine-press  with  the  nectar  flows 

Its  ripen'd  splendor  yielded. 

That  rivalry  of  trampling  feet 
Each  youth  and  maid  rejoices. 

In  vintage  toil  their  pastimes  meet, 
I  hear  their  frolic  voices. 

For  them  bare  field  and  fallen  leaf 

No  solitude  betoken ; 
Theirs  be  the  yet  ungarner'd  sheaf, 

Earnest  of  vows  unspoken. 

[41] 


PERSEPHONE 

••—•>••«  i '•^—-..••M-o  .^»,.  «—.•«•».,,  .«»,,.«•.,,  .^».  I 

[Enter  from  without  CALLITHOE  and  DEMO  :  the 
former  leading  DEMETER  disguised  as  an  aged  needy 
woman  ;  the  latter  bearing  an  urn  of  water.  The 
MINSTREL  sets  aside  his  harp.] 

EUMOLPTJS 
Not  in  song  only, 

So  it  doth  seem,  shall  youth  confirm  the  steps 
Of  melancholy  age. — A  visitor, 
Callithoe? 

CALLITHOE 

A  sad  one,  O  my  father  ! 
A  story  of  sorrows. 

EUMOLPUS 

It  shall  be  heard  within. 
Our  festal  rite  preparing  for  the  Mother 
Shall  stand  for  consolation. — And  thou,  too, 
Good  minstrel,  enter  with  them  for  thy  share. 
[The  three  women  go  into  the  house,  followed  by  the 
MINSTREL.] 

Again,  my  lords,  the  casual  guest  reminds  us, 
For  plenteous  store  what  recompense  we  owe. 
Rise  we  now ;  and  to  our  several  services 
Disperse  and  give  observance.  Fare  you  well ! 

[42] 


PERSEPHONE 

[The  COUNCILLORS  rise  and  go  out.  EUMOLPUS  goes 
out  on  the  other  side.  The  scene  changes  to  an  interior, 
discovering  the  Court,  an  oblong  area  upon  the  ground, 
dimly  lighted  though  partly  open  to  the  sky.  This  area 
is  surrounded  by  a  raised  floor  and  roofed  colonnade, 
with  seats,  and  doors  communicating  with  the  several 
apartments  of  the  dwelling;  also  a  loom  and  spinning- 
wheels.  In  the  centre  of  the  court  stands  a  large  altar; 
and  near  it  are  set  as  offerings  fruits,  grain,  jars  of 
oil,  wine,  honey,  flowers  in  pots.  All  the  members  of 
the  household  except  EUMOLPUS  himself: — the  wife 
and  the  two  daughters  and  numerous  domestics,  men 
and  women,  including  IAMBE,  are  seen  standing  on 
the  ground  about  the  altar.  Their  attitude  is  of  tranquil 
expectation.  Farther  forward,  upon  the  raised  floor, 
on  one  side  is  seated  the  disguised  DEMETER,  crouch 
ing  low  with  mournful  mien  ;  on  the  other  side  stands 
the  MINSTREL  with  his  harp.  Every  person,  except 
DEMETER,  wears  a  wreath  of  laurel.  A  youthful 
attendant  stands  on  either  side  of  the  altar,  one  hold 
ing  a  lighted  torch. — Enter  at  the  rear  EUMOLPUS, 
wearing  a  wreath.  He  speaks  as  he  comes  to  a  stand 
by  the  altar.} 


[43] 


PERSEPHONE 


EUMOLPUS 

Now  let  every  tongue  be  still, 
And  your  conscious  silence  fill 
With  a  reverence  profound 
All  the  air  these  walls  surround. 
[At  a  sign  from  the  master  one  of  the  attendants  pours 
oil  upon  the  altar,  while  the  other  sets  it  aflame.] 
The  Father  first  we  glorify, 
Cloud- wrapt,  dwelling  in  the  sky. — 
But  thou  need'st  no  loud  acclaim, 
Nor  to  speak  thy  mighty  name, 
Crave  thy  presence  in  our  prayer, 
For  thy  will  is  everywhere. 

Demeter,  Cora,  Bacchus  :  triple  company, 
One  spirit  breathed  in  three  : 
If,  where  Salamis'  dark  brow 
On  our  curving  bay  is  bent, 
To  Eleusis  with  benign  intent 
Ye  ever  came,  come  now  ! 

MANY  VOICES  IN  UNISON 
Demeter,  Cora,  Bacchus  :  triple  company, 
One  spirit  breathed  in  three  : 
If  by  Salamis'  dark  brow 
Ye  ever  to  Eleusis  came,  come  now  ! 

[44] 


PERSEPHONE 


EUMOLPUS 

Demeter,  Cora,  Bacchus  :  triple  company, 
One  spirit  breathed  in  three  : 
Of  your  gifts  we  keep  not  all ; 
To  yourselves  the  choicest  fall. 
Those  no  blemish  came  to  mar 
Emblems  of  perfection  are — 
Of  your  gracious  bounty,  sent 
For  our  zest  and  aliment. 

Milk  of  heifer  ranging  free, 

On  whose  neck  no  yoke  may  rest ; 

Of  the  petal-probing  bee 

Honey  from  wild  blossoms  press'd  ; 

Crystal  streams  from  virgin  spring  : 

All  with  thankful  hearts  we  bring. 

Drawn  from  parent  stock  sincere 
Thy  untemper'd  cordial  flows, 
Bacchus  ;  and  the  fruit  is  here, 

Dearest  that  Eleusis  knows, — 
Where  by  zones  of  yellow  grain 
The  gray  olive  dots  the  plain. 
[At  the  intervals  of  the  recital  the  several  offerings  have 
been  placed  upon  the  altar.] 

[45] 


•  PERSEPHONE 

Mother  benign, 

Thy  bosom  holds 
Secrets  divine 

That  earth  unfolds — 

What  powers  assure 

Life  yet  to  be, 
To  us  obscure, 

Possess 'd  by  thee. 

We  score  the  soil, 

We  fling  the  seed  ; 
All- vain  our  toil, 

Shouldst  thou  not  heed. 

Not  by  some  chance 
Each  germ  upsprings  ; 

Our  sustenance 

Thy  bounty  brings. — 

By  turf  or  tree, 

By  tame  or  wild, 
We  praise  with  thee 

Cora  thy  child. 

[46] 


PERSEPHONE 


One  soul,  one  will, 
Ye  are  not  twain  ; 

Attuned  to  thrill 
The  same  refrain. 

That  unison 

Our  blessing  prove. 
O  !  breathe  it  on 

The  fields  we  love. 

What  hazards  hurt, 
What  mischiefs  mar, 

Avert !  avert ! 
Hold  them  afar. 

No  want  know'st  thou, 

Parent  divine ; 
Yet  to  our  vow 

Thine  heart  incline 

In  gracious  mood — 

Gifts  as  of  yore, 
Full  oft  renew'd, 

And  more  and  more. 
[The  altar-flame  is  again  kindled.] 

[47] 


PERSEPHONE 


The  same  who  doth  beginnings  lend 
Claims  our  homage  of  the  end. 
When  on  hallow'd  names  we  call 
'T  is  the  Father  crowns  them  all ; 
All  the  gleanings  of  our  days 
In  the  fateful  balance  weighs. 
Therefore  now  in  final  turn 
His  flames  on  the  altar  burn. 
Your  unprison'd  voices  break 
Stillness  held  for  harvest's  sake. 
Taste  its  rich  inviting  store 
And  the  temper'd  nectar  pour  ; 
Be  your  mutual  greetings  blent 
In  recover'd  merriment. 

[There  is  lively  movement  and  the  hum  of  mingled 
voices.  They  sit  and  partake  of  the  fruit  and  bread 
distributed.  Wine  is  mixed  with  water  in  the  wassail 
bowl  and  served  in  cups.  DEMETER,  though  still  in 
dejected  attitude,  partakes  sparingly  of  bread,  but 
declines  the  wine  offered  her.} 

METANEIRA 

Poor  woman,  have  cheer  ;  be  not  afraid  ;  put  by 
The  mournful  thoughts  that  cloud  your  aged  brow. 
Mortals  must  bear  it  when  sad  fates  arrive, 

[48] 


PERSEPHONE 


Yet  seek  assuagement.  'T  is  Eumolpus'  house, 
Who  with  just  hand  and  charitable  heart, 
And  by  wise  compeers  seconded,  protects 
The  people  of  Eleusis.  No  poor  wanderer 
(For  all  come  in  the  Father's  name)  goes  hence 
Unsoothed,  uncomforted.  Tell  us  your  name  ; 
Whence  you  have  wander'd  hither. 

CALLITHOE 

Mother,  she  said 
Her  name  is  Doso  and  she  comes  from  Crete. 

METANEIRA 
So  far?  O  strange  ! 

EUMOLPUS 

Good  woman,  we  fain  would  hear 
From  your  own  lips  the  story  of  these  woes. 
Speak  and  reward  us. 

DEMETER 

Noble  chief,  't  were  long 
From  the  beginning  to  the  end  to  trace 
My  path  of  sorrows.  But  the  immediate  tale 
Is  of  the  angry  sea,  whose  hostile  edge 
And  cliffs  of  flint  shatter'd  the  vessel's  side 

[49] 


PERSEPHONE 


Wherein  from  that  far  Cretan  isle  we  sail'd. 

A  whole  household  were  we.  For,  though  myself 

Bound  but  to  menial  service,  it  had  been  long 

And  intimate — and  not  one  other  now 

Lives  of  that  happy  group.  O  !  would  the  fierce 

Unconquerable  tempest  that  impell'd 

Our  bark  upon  those  adamantine  shores 

Had  made  me  its  first  victim, — this  aged  heart 

Still  beating  to  deplore  the  loss  of  them 

Who  least  deserved  their  fate.  And  most  I  mourn 

The  gentle  child  which  't  was  my  task  to  tend 

From  morn  till  eve,  and  through  the  stilly  night 

Unto  its  helpless  needs  to  minister. — 

Alas  !  not  always  did  such  order  hold, 

That  youth  and  childhood  should  first  sink  and  fade. 

But  now  the  fishers  whose  brave  efforts  sought 

To  cheat  the  billows,  rescuing  me  alone, 

Brought  me  to  Thoricus  ;  and  thence  I  wander'd, 

Till  by  the  fountain  whence  your  daughters  drew 

Pure  water  for  Demeter's  festival 

Weary  I  sat,  despairing. 

METANEIRA 

O,  weep  not, 
Poor  soul !  nor  think  the  source  of  hope  runs  dry. 

[50] 


PERSEPHONE 


For  't  is  the  parent  of  hopes,  whose  rite  some  breeze 
Of  shifting  fortune  sent  you  here  to  share. 
'T  is  she  who,  when  chill  frost  bites  and  lays  low 
Soft,  swaying  foliage  wither'd  to  the  root, 
Inspires  our  trust  in  its  rebirth.  And  now 
Deem  the  sweet  child  that  perish'd  found  again. 
An  infant  son  have  I,  late-born,  well  loved, 
Blooming  with  promise.  You  shall  be  his  nurse, 
Tend  him  even  as  that  one.  And  mayhap 
When  he  attains  to  conscious  age,  his  thoughts 
Will  seek  you  gratefully  and  make  your  lot 
Envied  of  many. — Is  he  not  yet  awake, 
lambe? 

IAMBE 
Nay,  he  sleeps,  my  mistress,  still. 

METANEIRA 
Later  he  shall  be  brought. — 

EUMOLPUS 

But  there  needs  cheer 

To  break  this  sadness,  Metaneira.  Me  thinks 
Our  minstrel  guest  hath  not  yet  brought  his  song 
To  strict  conclusion. — Let  us  know  the  end. 

[51] 


PERSEPHONE 


MINSTREL 

[After  a  brief  prelude  upon  the  harp,  resumes  his  song.] 
If  autumn  have  a  sadder  side 
I  choose  not  now  to  sing  it ; 
My  theme  is  happy  harvest-tide, 
And  grateful  words  I  bring  it. 

Your  praises  of  the  Mother  sound 
While  halcyon  days  still  linger  ; 

Ere  yet  the  wintry  wind,  unbound, 
Has  touch'd  with  shriveling  finger 

The  last  grace  of  the  tender  year, 
Its  dulcet  breathings  banish'd  ; 

Ere  the  last  fitful  gleam  of  cheer 
From  smiling  skies  has  vanish'd. 

The  mother  quail  still  stays  to  call 

Her  sturdy  brood  together  ; 
The  lizard  still  basks  on  the  wall ; 

The  crane  still  preens  his  feather, 

Till  soon  he  span  the  southern  sea, 

To  Libyan  shores  descending  ; 
Some  lone  cicada  pipes  his  glee ; 

Some  swallow  southward  wending. 

[52 


PERSEPHONE 


O,  wait !  and  turn  not  to  deplore 
The  charm  of  days  now  ended  ; 

The  nightingale's  sad  lay,  no  more 
With  vesper  stillness  blended. 

Mourn  not !  What  though  the  self -same  bird 

Return  to  thrill  us  never? 
That  heavenly  plaint  shall  yet  be  heard, 

That  tale  retold  forever. 


Not  the  same  flowers  unfold  again, 
Once  more  the  meadows  glisten ; 

Not  the  same  zephyrs  whisper,  when 
Once  more,  entranced,  ye  listen. 

Your  minstrel  shall  not  tarry  long, 

Soon  with  the  sere  leaf  lying. 
New  voices  will  repeat  his  song, 

From  age  to  age  undying. 

[There  is  silence  and  a  long  pause,  till  EUMOLPUS, 
filling  a  cup  from  the  bowl  and  presenting  it  to  the 
MINSTREL,  speaks.] 

[53] 


PERSEPHONE 


EUMOLPUS 

Thy  song  shall  live  indeed, 

All-honor'd  bard,  when  we  have  pass'd,  who  now 

By  the  weird  spell  of  silence  sit  enthrall'd. 

And  for  thyself,  may  many  a  year  its  score 

Of  leafy  generations  cast  to  earth, 

Ere  to  new  hands  thine  ageless  harp  descend. — 

But — for  the  present  is  a  festal  hour, 

To  man  and  maid  for  respite  warranted — 

Go  forth  all,  and  the  sense  of  toil  dissolve 

In  mirth  and  pleasantry. 

[The  SERVANTS,  all  but  IAMBE,  bestir  themselves 
briskly  and  go  out  at  the  rear,  followed  by  the  MIN 
STREL  and  EUMOLPUS  with  his  two  daughters. 
METANEIRA  goes  out,  entering  one  of  the  chambers  at 
the  side.] 

IAMBE 

[To  DEMETER  still  sunk  in  melancholy] 
Wake  up  !  be  lively,  grandam  ! 
[DEMETER  shakes  her  head.] 

'T  is  good  ;  shake  off  these  megrims  ;  I  have  store 
Of  cheery  tales  that  bring  forgetfulness. 
Listen  ;  I  tell  one. 
[DEMETER  gives  sign  of  aversion.] 

[54] 


PERSEPHONE 

There  was  once  an  old  woman  scratch'd  badly 

with  briars 
Forgot  to  remember,  "All  Cretans  are  liars." 

Spun  a  yarn  in  the  style  of  a  season'd  sea-rover  : 

A  ship  stove  to  pieces,  the  Cretans  spill'd  over. 

[DEMETER  raises  her  head  and  looks  curiously 

at  IAMBE.] 

Herself  all  afloat  in  the  cold  briny  water, 

Till  safe  to  the  shore  a  bold  fisherman  brought  her. 

Beat  her  way  to  Eleusis  through  brambles  and 

briars, 
But  forgot  to  remember,  All  Cretans  are  liars. 

So,  if  she  was  a  Cretan,  we  could  not  believe  her  ; 
And  if  she  was  not,  then  she  play'd  the  deceiver. 
[DEMETER,  straightening  up,  gazes  at  the  speaker 
with  a  cheerful  look.] 

This  fable  imposes  a  duty  ungracious, 

To  warn  all  old  women  more  glib  than  veracious  : 

Lay  the  scene  of  your  highly  improbable  story 
Not  in  Crete,  but  in  some  more  remote  territory. 

[DEMETER  smiles.] 
DEMETER 
Damsel,  what  is  thy  name? 

[55] 


PERSEPHONE 


IAMBE 

lambe. 

DEMETER 

Bee? 
You  are  Bee? 

IAMBE 

O  no  !  not  Youarbe ; 
I-am-be. 

DEMETER 
[Smiling  again]  Ah  !  you  are  lambe. 

IAMBE 

I  am — be  sure. — 

My  father  was  a  Cretan  king  ;  his  name 
Was  Anapaistos,  not  unknown  to  fame. 
My  mother  Dactyl  shared  with  him  the  throne, 
To  fond  reciprocation  ever  prone  ; 
Yet  when  he  wish'd  her  near  for  work  or  play 
Her  steps  would  always  turn  the  other  way. 
My  sister  Trochee  and  myself,  likewise, 
Could  never  look  each  other  in  the  eyes, 
Our  thoughts  so  strangely  centred  in  another, 
Spondee,  our  irresponsible  big  brother. 

[56] 


PERSEPHONE 

,—».-,.«>».,.•«•<,.«»..«-»•'.•«••..«—•'•—••'>•••».:«•• 

Though  most  religious,  even  when  most  drunk, 
His  wits  in  utter  slothfulness  were  sunk. 
Trochee  must  run  ;  Spondee  could  only  crawl ; 
I  had  to  walk  or  not  proceed  at  all. 
Alas  !  there  was  for  us  no  common  ground. 
The  bards  are  busy,  but  have  not  yet  found 
The  proper  measures  to  make  both  ends  meet 
And  set  my  family  upon  its  feet. 

[Enter  METANEIRA  carrying  an  infant  in  her  arms.} 

METANEIRA 

[Passing  the  child  to  DEMETER  who  receives  it  gra 
ciously] 

Take,  take  your  precious  charge,  good  woman  ;  see 
How  willingly  he  comes  ! 

DEMETER 

Yes  ;  and  his  name? 

METANEIRA 
Triptolemus. 

DEMETER 
Thrice  spoiPd? 

METANEIRA 

Nay,  nay  !  thrice  cherish'd. 
Boon  of  the  thrice  plow'd  field. 

[57] 


PERSEPHONE 


IAMBE 

Yet  to  be  thresh'd. 

METANEIRA 
lambe,  spare  thy  quips  ! — Come  forth,  come  forth  ! 

IAMBE 
My  quips  can  cure.  [As  the  two  go  out.] 

DEMETER 

[Left  alone,  sings  in  low  tones  to  the  child  she  is 
holding.] 

Open  little  eyes  in  wonder  ; 

Open,  open  wide. 
Little  lips,  they  move  asunder. 

What  strange  face  untried 
Doth  of  a  new  mother  seem? 
Triptoleme. 

New  and  old  have  found  each  other  : 

Thrice  true  to  his  name, 
Thrice  endear 'd  the  people's  brother 

To  these  arms  he  came, 
Lost  or  losing  to  redeem, 
Triptoleme. 

[58] 


PERSEPHONE 


Draw  a  charmed  circle  round  them  ; 

All  within  it  save. 
Fear  nor  famine  shall  confound  them. 

By  Eleusis'  wave 
Every  ill  forefended  deem, 
Triptoleme. 

He  shall  recompense  Demeter, 

When,  by  him  beguiled, 
One  by  one  the  nations  greet  her, 

Change  their  aspects  wild 
For  an  amity  supreme, 
Triptoleme. 

Little  eyes  are  prone  to  slumber  ; 

Little  lips  can  smile. 
Stately  visions  without  number 

Hover  nigh  the  while, 
When  immortal  children  dream, 
Triptoleme. 

[The  dimly  lighted  scene  has  grown  darker.  Voices 
of  merriment  are  still  heard  without.] 


[59] 


PERSEPHONE 


IV 

By  the  Entrance  to  the  Lower  World. 
HERMES  PLUTO  PERSEPHONE 

HERMES 

Mine  errand  let  the  pallid  asphodel, 
By  the  gray  twilight  shimmering,  consecrate. — 
Whither  my  steps  are  bent,  shall  for  a  sign 
About  their  path  this  ghostly  flower  be  strewn, 
When,  to  a  deeper  vision  moved,  men  seek 
To  pierce  the  veil  that  shrouds  their  mortal  ken, 
Feigning  a  field  of  asphodel  beyond. 

It  is  the  way  to  death.  Nor  may,  of  those 
Who  from  abodes  celestial  view  afar 
The  strange  complex  of  transitory  lives, 
Another  than  myself  o'erstep  the  bound. 
From  light  to  gloom  the  steps  are  few  ;  and  I 
Descending  thither  have  already  spann'd 
The  main  ethereal  distance,  till  thus  nigh 
To  the  infernal  gates,  pausing  I  wait 
For  the  decisive  moment  to  pass  down 
Into  his  presence,  to  whose  ear  straightway 
The  Eternal  Father's  will  shall  be  convey'd. 

[60] 


PERSEPHONE 

Now  on  the  tardy  verge  of  winter  hangs 
The  sun's  relenting  disc.  Yet  by  that  sign 
Not  as  before  do  watchful  mortals  read 
Hope  and  recover'd  cheer.  Still  on  their  fields 
Blight  presses,  drouth  and  famine  lower  ;  no  beam 
Of  vernal  promise  rends  the  pall. — Then  they 
To  the  supernal  powers  their  suppliant  cries 
Uplifting,  from  Demeter's  vengeful  stroke 
In  piteous  appeal,  did  importune, 
Conquer'd  our  sympathies.  One  by  one  we  sought 
The  Mother's  presence,  earthward  speeding  ;  laid 
Our  gifts  before  Demeter  ;  promised  all 
That  might  subdue  a  proud  immortal  heart. 
But  to  each  fruitless  mission  't  was  the  same 
Stern  answer  :  "  Think  me  not  one  of  yourselves. 
My  foot  the  Olympian  threshold  shall  not  cross  ; 
Nor  shall  the  stricken  earth  yield  of  its  fruits. 
Till  these  eyes  see  Persephone  restored." — 
Then  straight  the  Father  on  my  zeal  enjoin'd 
To  penetrate  the  nether  gloom,  and  call 
Back  unto  day  in  his  almighty  name 
The  bride  erstwhile  conceded. 


[61] 


PERSEPHONE 


Here  I  stand. 

O,  who  but  for  constraint  inexorable 
Would  pass  among  the  shadowy  denizens 
Of  death's  domain,  even  though  by  prompt  return 
Deliverance  be  assured? — Already  I  hear 
Cadence  of  ghostly  voices,  which,  not  long 
From  living  freshness  flitted  forth,  nor  yet 
Given  the  oblivion  craved,  do  thinly  echo 
Their  chorus  of  regretful  agonies. 

VOICES 

[Heard  chanting  behind  the  scenes] 
Wandering ;  waiting.  Where 
Out  of  a  dark  despair 
Rest  may  we  find? 
Some  saving  power,  O  !  send 
Forgetfulness,  to  end 
This  frenzied  mind. 

0  !  would  we  knew  not,  where 
Or  who  we  are,  or  were  ! 

Help,  help  us  to  forget. 

1  think  ;  I  cannot  see. 
Lost  one,  I  think  of  thee, 

Remembering  yet. 

[62] 


PERSEPHONE 


HERMES 

Ah  !  have  ye  now  the  worth  perceived  of  that 
For  which  in  life  your  thoughtless  fancies  yearn'd? 
As  children,  when  their  sweetmeats  are  consumed, 
Cry  to  possess  them  still.  If  your  lives  held 
Naught  profitable,  they  were  well  come  to  naught. 
Or,  if  perchance  ye  deem'd  them  good,  ye  had 

them — 

Once,  and  for  all. — But  chant  not  of  despair. 
Near  where  ye  flit  the  stream  of  Lethe  flows. 
Thence  shall  ye  drink  and  in  oblivion 
Find  peace.  Forge tfulness,  its  blessed  fount 
Not  too  soon  have  wise  powers  before  you  set, 
That  for  a  few  sad  moments  ye  might  know 
The  folly  of  those  earthly  cravings.  Then, 
When  the  Lethean  waters  pass  your  lips, 
Yourselves  ye  are  no  more.  Live  on  ; 
Live  on — if  it  be  deem'd  so  ;  but  yourselves 
Exist  no  longer  :  all  your  fears  shall  cease. 

[The  chanting  is  heard  again,  growing  fainter  and 
fainter.] 


[63] 


PERSEPHONE 

VOICES 

To  Lethe,  Lethe's  river, 
O  !  waft  us  ;  and  deliver 

The  imprison'd  soul. 
Blest  fount,  end  this  probation 
Of  thought  without  sensation. 

Waves  of  oblivion,  roll 

O'er  us.  Quench,  quench  forever 
The  flames  of  memory.  Sever 

The  tie  of  long  ago, 
Of  penances  infernal ; 
And  for  repose  eternal, 

Lethe,  sweet  Lethe,  flow. 

HERMES 

Farewell,  then.  Not  thyself,  but  now  thou  art 
Another,  if  so  be  thou  art  at  all. — 
For  me,  mine  errand  loiters.  Downward  !  down  ! 
To  the  day-beam,  for  a  brief  hour,  farewell ! 
[Exit,   entering   a  chasm  at  one  side. — The  scene 
changes.  At  first  it  is  wrapt  in  total  darkness.  Gradu 
ally  light  appears  at  the  centre,  leaving  the  surround 
ing  space  still  dark.  In  the  central  illumination  the 
forms  of  PLUTO  and  PERSEPHONE  are  discovered, 
seated  side  by  side  upon  elevated  thrones,  their  faces 
wearing  the  hue  cast  by  fire-light.] 

[64] 


PERSEPHONE 


PLUTO 

Here — not  as  there — stability  unswerving, 
Repose,  conclusion,  safe  authority. 
They,  in  their  upper  world,  sway  to  and  fro, 
Cherish  their  petty  plans — resolve  them  here. 

PERSEPHONE 

To  cherish  is  worth  much,  while  cherishing. 
Once  found,  concluded,  what  avails  solution? 

PLUTO 

Of  past  and  future  vainly  to  reck  no  longer 
Should  seem  of  such  avail,  that  to  our  bourn 
'T  were  meet  to  press  and  hasten,  not  as  now 
Shrinking  ignore  the  ill,  defer  the  cure. 

PERSEPHONE 

Why  crave  a  remedy  for  that  which  seems, 
Mere  semblance  though  it  be,  to  heal  itself? 

PLUTO 

Illusions,  which  our  kindred  powers  above 
Implant,  encourage  in  the  world  they  rule. 
Ourselves,  stern  though  our  mien,  deceive  not,  lay 
No  snares  to  entangle  ;  solemn  truth  is  here. 

[65] 


PERSEPHONE 


PERSEPHONE 

For  me,  illusion  shames  solemnity. 
Once  I  possess'd  my  share,  more  humble  then. 

PLUTO 

Humility  suits  not,  Persephone, 
The  sway  whereof  thou  art  participant. 

PERSEPHONE 

Rather  a  child  fann'd  by  the  fickle  wind 
Than  queen  of  a  dead  realm  helpless  to  change. 

PLUTO 

Ah  !  reconciled  not  yet.  Time,  time  shall  win  thee. 
Of  it  there  is  enough. — But  stay  !  what  comes? 

[At  one  side  there  opens  a  space  of  light  in  the  sur 
rounding  darkness,  revealing  HERMES  who  stands 
forth  toward  PLUTO  and  PERSEPHONE.] 

HERMES 

Pluto,  dread  ruler  of  the  shades,  I  come 
Bearing  new  message  from  the  living  world. 

PLUTO 

Not  often,  Hermes,  falls  to  us  such  honor 
Of  condescension  as  thy  visit  lends. 

[66] 


PERSEPHONE 


HERMES 

Mine  errand  is,  as  the  appointed  guide 
Of  souls  in  passage  'twixt  our  sphere  and  thine, 
By  the  supremest  order,  to  conduct 
Persephone  back  to  the  upper  realm  ; 
That,  setting  eyes  upon  her  child  once  more, 
Demeter,  the  Mother,  may  be  reconciled 
To  her  immortal  kindred,  and  forbear 
By  earthly  ruin,  death  of  scion  and  seed, 
All  grace  of  human  homage  to  suppress. 
That  wrath  inflexible  Eleusis  now, 
Her  chosen  harbor  of  bereavement,  shelters. 


PLUTO 

Order  supreme,  sublime,  who  shall  withstand? 
No  choice  remains.  Yet  even  your  Highest  must 

bend 

Before  Necessity,  the  arm  of  Fate. 
By  fate  already  union  inviolable, 
A  bond  no  countermand  may  wholly  sever, 
Was  'twixt  these  two  worlds  consummated,  when 
Demeter's  daughter,  once  conceded,  came 
To  the  embrace  of  death.  Even  as  frail  men 
By  the  pomegranate-seed  do  symbolize 

[67] 


PERSEPHONE 


Their  marriage-tie  forsooth  as  one  that  binds 
Forever. — Therefore,  Persephone,  though  now 
To  thy  glad  mother's  breast  thou  may'st  return, 
Bearing  the  boon  of  teeming  hours  sore  craved 
By  mortals  and  their  patron  deities 
And  by  the  weary,  starveling  shell  of  earth  ; 
Yet  through  each  half-year  only  shall  endure 
This  upward  impulse  swelling  in  thy  heart. 
Again,  again  at  the  due  moment,  thy  thoughts — 
Not  then  as  now  aspiring — shall  swing  back 
Hither,  impel  thee  downward. 

PERSEPHONE 

Be  it  so!  — 

But  at  this  hour  my  fluttering  soul  upsprings, 
As  when  in  sunny  childish  wanderings 
The  waken'd  butterfly  I  saw  unfold 
From  mouldy  cerements  his  wings  of  gold. 

PLUTO 

Then,  once  his  little  season  sped,  the  chill 
Of  dissolution  smites  with  sudden  thrill. 
Quickly  to  earth  his  stiffen'd  wing  descends  ; 
The  crawling  worm  that  hovering  glory  ends. 

[68] 


PERSEPHONE 

> -«^»- ( i -•»»•<>•••»•  o  •«•=(>•••»•( '«••  i 

PERSEPHONE 

Once  more  by  Ocean's  marge  I  seem  to  rove, 
With  sea-nymphs  seek  our  flowery  treasure-trove. 
My  mother  sleeps,  lull'd  by  the  purling  stream  ; 
The  white  cloud  sails  and  silvery  eddies  gleam. 


PLUTO 

Once  more  the  fragrant  tempter's  fatal  smile 
Beams  forth  benign,  unfailing  to  beguile. — 
The  fickle  nymphs  flee  to  their  sheltering  wave  ; 
Thine,  the  all-harboring  hospice  of  the  grave. 


HERMES 

[Extending  his  winged  wand  gently  toward  PERSEPH 
ONE  who,  as  in  a  trance,  rises  from  her  throne  and 
steps  down  toward  him] 

This  wand  the  Everlasting's  mandate  heeds  ; 
Or  toward  the  dark,  or  toward  the  light  it  leads. 


PLUTO 

Few  thither,  hither  many  their  passage  wend  ; 
There  a  beginning,  here  the  appointed  end. 

[69] 


PERSEPHONE 

«••  <  >  •^•w-  <  •  •••»•    •  •«»  t  <«Kf»- ;  i  -MM-  < 

PERSEPHONE 

O  !  now  some  heavenly  ray  methinks  I  see 
Piercing  this  foul,  black-crusted  canopy. — 
Now,  now  soft  vapory  tresses  fleck  the  sky  ; 
The  wood-dove  calls  and  vernal  breezes  sigh. 

PLUTO 

Speed  thee  some  while  illusion's  airy  spell ; 
Brief  absence  claims  no  grave,  prolonged  farewell. 

[The  seated  figure  of  PLUTO  becomes  enveloped  in 
shadow  and  disappears.  PERSEPHONE  surrounded  by 
a  halo  of  light  follows  HERMES  out.] 


[70] 


PERSEPHONE 


By  the  House  of  Eumolpus 

CHILDREN      IAMBE       METANEIRA       CALLITHOE 
DEMO          EUMOLPUS          COUNCILLORS 
DEMETER  IRIS 

[Enter  from  without  a  throng  of  CHILDREN,  boys  and 
girls  of  various  ages.  They  carry  small  billets  of  wood 
suspended  by  strings,  upon  which  they  strike  with 
another  stick,  producing  a  musical  clatter.  They  halt 
in  front  of  the  house,  and  as  their  LEADER,  a  boy 
older  than  the  rest,  begins  to  chant  his  lay,  the  others 
cease  their  noise.] 

LEADER 

The  swallow  !  the  swallow  ! 
The  swallow  has  come,  she  is  here ; 
Bringing  with  her  the  beautiful  hours, 
The  beautiful  year. 

[A  pause;  clatter  by  the  chorus.] 

The  swallow  !  the  swallow  ! 

O  !  the  swallow  is  here. 

Purple  back,  belly  white, 

From  wealthy  home  she  begs  a  mite. — 

[71] 


PERSEPHONE 

•*••»<'«•»••'•«•»••'•••»•'•«••>    ••^••'> -«^»- <••••»•<'*••• ''•^•••t 

Toss  out,  toss  out  a  honey-cake  ; 

A  tiny  cup  of  wine, 

A  bit  of  cheese  pared  fine, 
Even  a  barley  loaf  the  swallow  deigns  to 
take.  [Pause;  clatter.] 

What ! — are  we  to  go  away 
Empty-handed? — nothing  !  nothing,  do 

you  say? — 
If  you  will  give,  well  and  good  : 

If  you  will  not,  we  shall  see  ; 
Make  our  little  sticks  of  wood 

Clatter,  batter  merrily  ; 
Walk  away  with  your  front  door, 
Pull  down  the  lintel — or,  what 's  more, 
The  little  woman  who  sits  inside, 
Carry  her  off  on  a  pig-back  ride  ! 

[Pause;  clatter.] 

If  you  proffer  to  the  swallow, 
May  to  you  great  profit  follow. 
Open  the  door  to  the  swallow,  then  ; 

Open,  open  ! 

We  are  children,  not  old  men. 
[The door  is  opened,  discoveringlAUW,broom  in  hand.] 

[721 


PERSEPHONE 


IAMBE 

[Flourishing  her  broom] 
Your  little  woman  can  hold  the  door, 
Drive  away  pigs  and  clear  the  floor, — 
[The  throng  laugh,  vociferate,  and  clatter  loudly.] 
Pare  your  cheeses  and  eat  'em  too  ; 
Swallow  a  dozen  such  mites  as  you. 
[Very  loud  clatter;  then  a  pause.] 

LEADER 

But,  little  lady,  we  say  the  spring  is  here. 
Give  of  your  store  to  celebrate  the  hour. 

IAMBE 
Then  will  you  go  away  and  give  us  peace  ? 

LEADER 
To  other  wealthy  homes  the  swallow  leads  us. 

[Enter  METANEIRA  behind  IAMBE.] 

METANEIRA 
The  season  brings  us  noisy  little  birds. 

[73] 


PERSEPHONE 

•MOTMMMMW 

LEADER 

Young  birds  cry  to  be  fed,  ere  they  can  fly. 
[They  vociferate  and  clatter.  METANEIRA  turns  and 
signs  to  IAMBE,  who  goes  into  the  house.] 

METANEIRA 
So  we  must  needs  find  food  to  stop  their  mouths. 

LEADER 
Then  will  the  swallow  bring  you  happy  hours. 

METANEIRA 
'T  is  a  quiet  hour  we  crave. 

LEADER 
Will  you  sleep  still ! 

METANEIRA 
The  councillors  come — 

LEADER 

The  heads  of  families? 

Then  will  we  stay,  and  with  our  little  mime 
Win  their  good-will. 

[Re-enter  IAMBE  with  a  basket.  She  distributes  cakes 
among  the  children,  who  receive  the  dole  with  shouts, 

[74] 


PERSEPHONE 

,«•»•>••••»•.•«••<,— •K,.^»M—»....^« -.«•»',.•«....», 

but  without  clatter. — Enter  from  the  house  EUMOLPUS, 
looking  unfavorably  upon  the  throng  as  they  eat. 
Directly  after  EUMOLPUS,  and  while  he  is  speaking, 
the  COUNCILLORS  enter  from  without,  one  by  one. 
They  take  their  seats  in  the  vestibule  as  formerly, 
viewing  curiously  the  scene.} 

EUMOLPUS 

What  means  this  flummery  when  the  Council 's 
call'd? 

METANEIRA 
It  is  their  threat  to  entertain  the  Council. 

LEADER 

The  swallow  hath  a  mimic  show,  to  add 
Grace  to  their  wisdom. 

EUMOLPUS 

5T  is  an  errant  bird  ; 

Slow  coming,  swift  departing.  She  is  due 
Elsewhere ;  our  exigence  can  spare  her  mimes. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR 

My  lord,  though  times  be  exigent,  the  day 
Will  hold  more  than  we  owe  it.  Shall  we  listen? 

[75] 


PERSEPHONE 


METANEIRA 

O,  let  them  play,  Eumolpus  ;  children  know 
Somewhat  that  wise  heads  need  to  ponder. — See  ! 
[At  a  sign  from  the  LEADER  the  children  quickly  draw 
back  and  dispose  themselves  sitting  or  reclining  upon 
the  ground  in  a  half -circle  facing  the  house,  excepting 
the  largest  girl,  who  remains  standing.  At  the  same 
moment  CALLITHOE  and  DEMO  enter  from  the  house 
and  join  the  onlookers.  A  number  of  servants  also 
enter.  The  girl  climbs  into  a  large  wine-jar,  only  her 
head  and  arms  emerging.  The  boy  slings  a  wallet  over 
his  shoulder  and  takes  a  staff  in  hand.  The  two  child 
actors  manifest  the  feelings  indicated  by  the  words 
recited,  naively,  especially  the  girl,  whose  part  is 
wholly  pantomime.] 

LEADER 

I  'm  the  wanderer  ;  that  jar  's  her  house  ;  she  peeps 
Forth  from  the  window ;  nobody  can  see, 
Nobody  hears  us. 

IAMBE 
Nobody  will  tell. 

LEADER 

She  does  n't  want  me  to  go  away  ;  she  thinks 
I  '11  never  come  back. 

[76] 


PERSEPHONE 


SECOND  COUNCILLOR 

And  when  do  you  come  back? 

LEADER 
I  come  back  with  the  swallow. 

CALLITHOE  AND  DEMO 

O! 

LEADER 
[Approaching} 
To-day  I  must  say  good-bye, 

Shall  be  far  to-morrow. 
O  you  treasure  of  my  eye, 

Parting,  it  brings  sorrow  ! 
Just  because  I  've  loved  so  well, 
Loved  you  more  than  tongue  can  tell, 
Now  I  leave  and  lose  you. 

SECOND  COUNCILLOR 
Bless  my  soul  !  but  the  lad  is  posted. 

THIRD  COUNCILLOR 

Methinks  they  are  a  trifle  young  for  this. 
[While  the  following  lines  are  recited,  DEMETER,  still 
in  disguise,  enters  from  the  house  and  stands  viewing 
the  scene  contemplatively.] 

[77] 


PERSEPHONE 

••••••••••(••i 

LEADER 
Two  good  friends  and  nothing  more, 

Who  know  one  another  ; 
Sun  and  moon  shall  fly,  before 

These  part  from  each  other. 
How  much  keener  is  the  smart 
When  a  fond  true-lover's  heart 

In  the  wide  world  wanders  ! 

CALLITHOE 
O  !  why  does  n't  he  stay  at  home? 

METANEIRA 

Hush  !  hush, 
Callithoe  ;  they  're  only  playing. 

LEADER 
Little  breeze  on  cheeks  or  hands, 

Airy  kisses  lending ; 
Think  't  is  sighs  from  far-off  lands 

That  to  you  I  'm  sending. 
Thousand  every  day  I  breathe, 
There  about  your  house  to  wreathe, 

Thinking  of  you  ever. — 

METANEIRA 
Why  ! —  she  has  fallen  into  the  jar. 

[78] 


PERSEPHONE 

•MMMMMHVMH 

IAMBE 
That 's  only  a  matter  of  size. 

FIRST  COUNCILLOR 

The  play  is  well  enough  ;  but,  my  lord,  I  note 
A  strange  complexion  of  the  sky. 
[The  scene  has  suddenly  grown  dark  and  livid.] 

EUMOLPUS 

'T  is  true ; 

A  thunder-cloud  not  far  ;  unusual  surely 
At  the  matin  hour. — But  't  is  a  season,  such 
As  shall  be  long  remember'd.  Failure  and  famine 
Are  from  all  neighboring  lands  reported,  though 
Serenely  for  ourselves  the  winter  sped. 

SECOND  COUNCILLOR 

But  mark,  sire  ;  mark  !  There  falls  the  rain  ; 
Not  distant,  but  strikes  here  not  quite.  And  now 
A  sunbeam  pierces. 

METANEIRA 
[Pointing  toward  the  side  opposite  DEMETER] 

See  !  O  see  :  the  rainbow  ! 
Close  by  ! 

[79] 


C3  PERSEPHONE 


scene,  while  still  sombre,  becomes  suffused  with 
iridescent  lights,  and  under  an  arch  of  radiance  the 
figure  of  IRIS  is  discovered,  faintly  outlined.  The 
sitters  shrink  as  if  awe-struck,  all  the  more  when  the 
name  of  DEMETER  is  pronounced;  but  DEMETER 
herself  brightens  and  her  standing  form  seems 
statelier  than  before.] 

IRIS 

Demeter,  Demeter,  what  holds  thee  so  long, 
When  the  word  of  the  Father  has  mended  thy 

wrong? 
Persephone     risen     crowns     mourning    with 

peace  ; 
Thy     sorrows     are    ended,    thy    wanderings 

cease. 

Now  the  threshold  of  Heaven   thy  footfall 

awaits  ; 
Earth   can   spare   thee  what  hour  that  fond 

meeting  belates. 
Every    bourgeon    betokens    thy    daughter's 

return, 
Every  bird  speeding  home  from  his  mateless 

sojourn. 

[80] 


PERSEPHONE 


The  wing  and  the  blossom  must  falter  and 

fade ; 
These  lives  do  but  wander  from  waking  to 

shade. 
Twice    lustrous    the    gems    in    Persephone's 

crown  : 
Both  the  quick  and  the  dead  heed  her  smile 

and  her  frown. 

Her  bounty  and  thine  still  with  fervor  be 
sought, 

Though  the  left  hand  undo  what  the  right  hand 
has  wrought. 

At  the  parting,  Demeter,  rave  not,  nor  repine  ; 

The  Father  hath  said  it,  All  vengeance  is 
mine. 

His  bow  spans  the  welkin  to  cheer  and  to 
save  ; 

One  arm  by  the  cradle,  one  arm  by  the 
grave. 

Each  storm-cloud  rolls  by  through  the  arch 
way  of  time, 

When  swift  Iris  beams  forth  with  her  tidings 
sublime. 

[81] 


PERSEPHONE 

[The  figure  of  Ims  fades  and  vanishes.  The  radiance 
shifts  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  scene;  and  as  the  people 
turn  they  behold  DEMETER,  divested  of  her  disguise, 
now  standing  forth  in  all  the  splendor  of  divine 
presence.] 

DEMETER 

I  am  Demeter,  the  Mother,  whom  unawares 
Thou  and  thy  household  entertaining,  earn'd 
Reward,  Eumolpus,  of  these  scatheless  fields, 
And  for  thyself  and  for  thy  peers  a  fame 
Through  all  the  ages  round  Eleusis  flung. 
A  mystic  union  of  two  worlds  shall  link 
Your  living  visions  to  the  invisible  dead, 
The  soul  departed  to  the  yearning  soul ; 
And  by  hopes  newly  dawning  reconcile 
Men's  aspirations  to  their  mortal  term. 
Such  veil'd  design  to  further  through  my  pain, 
Persephone,  the  Life-child  now,  and  now 
The  Bride  of  Death,  wears  her  ambiguous  crown. 

And  not  thine  own  name  only  shall  resound 
When  the  Eumolpidae  proclaim  the  ban 
Of  silence  in  my  rites  ;  but  thrice  revered, 
As  at  Demeter's  bosom  thrice  inspired, 

[82] 


PERSEPHONE 


Triptolemus,  from  this  my  central  shrine, 
Sowing  the  seeds  of  knowledge  shall  go  forth 
A  peaceful  conqueror  to  earth's  farthest  bound. 
That  golden  era  swiftly  fled,  through  him 
O'ertaken  not  yet,  shall  glimmer  and  beckon  still ; 
In  the  pursuit,  than  while  possess'd,  more  dear. 

But  rise  ;  arise,  ye  people  ! — for  this  day 

Of  revelation  and  renascence  brooks 

No  waiting  its  behest  to  consecrate — 

Arise,  men,  women,  children ;  and  lay  hand, 

With  heavenly  vigor  for  the  task  endued, 

To  the  founding  of  my  temple.  Forth  !  forth  ! — 

There, 

Where  to  the  wave  yon  solid  earth  declines, 
Demeter  and  Cora  shall  abide.  Each  stone 
Planted  this  hour  its  solemn  portion  guards 
Of  mystery  to  the  eternal  ages  seal'd. 

[Obeying  the  word  and  gesture  of  DEMETER  they  rise 
and  go  out  silently,  but  with  brisk  and  decisive  steps. 
As  the  last  person  passes  the  scene  grows  dim  and  the 
form  of  the  goddess  fades  as  in  a  cloud.] 


[83] 


Qdtuj  IS&v  exelva 
el<Jw  vTto  jfoova  .  olSev  fiev  (3iov 

olSev  Se  8i6(jSotov  OLp%dv. 

PINDAR. 


alrcep  (le 
Toi;$  *re 
ol  tov    LY 


xal  tov 


57$  ot  ^8<ra(T^6i"rf$  nepi  te  *%$  tov  (3iov 


ISOCRATES. 


PERSEPHONE 

•^»<  —»...^»  •—•••.•«•••••>.••<>.«••..,.••»,,.••»...•»., 

EPILOGUE 

In  the  Temple  at  Eleusis 


The  scene  opened  discloses  the  interior  of  the  narrow 
prodomus  or  Entrance  Hall  of  the  temple  of  Demeter  and 
Cora.  The  wide  central  entrance  to  the  sanctuary  behind  is 
closed  with  light  curtains.  By  the  dim  torchlight  the  inner 
frieze  of  the  prodomus  with  its  sculptured  designs  is  indis 
tinctly  seen.  In  front  of  the  curtained  passage  stands  the 
Herald  of  the  Mysteries,  crowned  with  myrtle  and  holding 
a  lighted  torch. 

It  is  night.  Strains  of  music  are  heard  in  the  distance 
without,  mingled  with  jubilant  outcries  as  of  a  moving 
throng.  They  seem  to  draw  nearer,  until  presently  the 
processional  chant  is  distinctly  heard. 


VOICES  WITHOUT 
lacch',  O  lacche  ! 
[Nearer  and  louder] 
lacch',  O  lacche  !  lacch',  O  lacche  ! 

lacchus,  comrade  of  the  rout, 
Come  to  song  and  merry  shout ! 
Where  thy  holy  mystics  rave 
And  the  myrtle-chaplet  wave  ; 

[85] 


PERSEPHONE 

Where  the  brandish'd  torch-flame  leaps, 
Across  the  pitchy  shadows  sweeps, 
Come,  and  lead  the  merry  throng 
All  the  sacred  way  along. 
Wake  the  many-echo 'd  cry 
Where  with  young  the  aged  vie  : 
lacch',  O  lacche  ! 
lacch',  O  lacche  ! 


HERALD 

Many  mind  the  call ;  but  few, 
Chosen,  proved,  and  purified, 

May  the  hallow'd  emblems  view 
Which  Demeter's  portals  hide. 


VOICES  WITHOUT 

lacchus,  to  thy  nightly  choir 
Guiding  star  and  beacon-fire, 
Light  my  anxious  footsteps  now 
Toward  the  temple's  fluted  brow, 
Dark  with  secrets  guarded  well 
In  their  shroud  of  asphodel. 

[86] 


EPILOGUE 

MifeflMMPWItoAMPi 

HERALD 
Many  cry  ;  but  they  alone 

Tried  and  taught  to  watch  and  wait 
Can  the  exaltation  own 

From  the  Lesser  to  the  Great. 

The  Candidates  (epoptae)  enter  silently  in  solemn  order, 
arrayed  in  white  robes  and  wearing  their  myrtle  wreaths, 
the  men  on  one  side  of  the  hall,  the  women  on  the  other. 
They  stand  facing  sidewise  toward  the  curtained  passage. 

HERALD 
Though  ye  enter  or  depart, 

Though  ye  look  not  or  behold, 
Bars  of  oak  be  on  your  heart, 

On  your  lips  the  key  of  gold. 

CHOIR 

(of  Mystics  within  the  sanctuary) 
Of  his  life  the  spring  and  source, 
Of  its  troublous  stream  the  course, 

The  mysterious  chain 
Threading  its  vicissitude 
He  marks  not,  who  hath  not  view'd 
In  the  Mother's  fane 

[87] 


PERSEPHONE 


The  weird  symbols  of  her  woe  ; 
Nor  can  he  the  solace  know 

Which  new  hopes  inspire, 
When  the  Child  her  faith  redeems, 
Rising  through  the  gates  of  dreams, 
A  divine  fulfilment  seems 

Of  the  soul's  desire. 


HERALD 

They,  whose  conscious  hymns  redound 
To  the  reverence  of  their  name, 

With  a  sense  of  peace  profound 
Your  beatitude  proclaim. 


The  curtains  are  drawn  apart,  revealing  the  inner  sanc 
tuary,  with  the  HIEROPHANT  standing  at  one  side.  The 
Choir  of  Mystics,  who  continue  to  chant  their  hymns  from 
time  to  time,  remain  unseen  from  first  to  last. — Music  of 
stringed  instruments  is  heard  during  the  intervals. 
The  HIEROPHANT  at  first  points  with  his  staff  in  silence  to 
ward  the  centre  of  the  sanctuary  at  the  objects  there  dis 
played,  brilliantly  lighted  from  above  :  a  miniature  thresh 
ing-floor  of  circular  form ;  upon  it  a  very  ancient  wooden 
image  of  Demeter,  a  plow  of  primitive  pattern,  a  sickle, 
and  a  winno wing-fan. 

[88] 


EPILOGUE 


HlEROPHANT 

How,  through  tardy  ages  run, 
By  unnumber'd  labors  won, 
Have  these  simple  and  sublime 
Emblems  of  defeated  time, 
With  their  mystical  accord 
Of  an  infinite  reward, 
Come  condignly  to  appear 
On  your  sober'd  vision  clear  ! 


Once,  each  instrument  and  art 
Found  no  sign  nor  counterpart. 
All  unneeded  and  unknown, 
Not  yet  to  such  usance  grown 
Childlike  man  no  warning  word 
Of  their  birth  and  burthen  heard. 
His  repast  the  oak-tree  spread, 
From  its  wind-stript  branches  shed  ; 
And  the  wild  grape  and  the  bee 
Soothed  that  foolish  infancy. 
Reck'd  they  light  the  past,  nor  more 
What  the  future  held  in  store. 

[89] 


PERSEPHONE 

••»•"•«••••  ••^•>  ••«••••   -^»- •«•••<"«•••<••«••  i. •«»•<>•< 

Slender  portion,  but  for  death, 
Life  of  worth  or  meaning  hath. 
Unbenign  the  sun  on  those 
Thoughtless  generations  rose, 
Nor  his  setting  spell'd  for  them 
Threnody  and  requiem. 
Passionless,  untaught  to  mourn, 
Marching  blindly  toward  the  bourn, 
Swift  they  sprang  and  grew  and  pass'd  ; 
And  the  earliest  and  the  last, 
As  some  hovering  vapor-tress 
Seized  and  whirl'd  to  nothingness, 
Nor  remember'd  nor  forgot 
Faded,  vanish'd,  and  was  not. 

For  a  careless  world  what  sign 

Of  an  Earth-mother  divine? 

What  probation  or  reprieve 

Could  their  silly  thoughts  conceive? 

Nature's  increase,  cull'd  from  chance, 

Won  no  gift  or  cognizance. 

'T  was  for  them  enough  to  mark 

Lapse  of  daylight  unto  dark  ; 

And  the  blended  seasons  ran 

Into  one,  for  stolid  man. 

[90] 


EPILOGUE 


Aloof,  and  with  her  Heaven-born  child, 
By  earth's  farthest  border  wild, 
Where  Selene's  crescent  beam 
Glimpses  close  her  partner's  stream 
And  zephyrian  airs  inspire 
Father  Ocean's  virgin  choir, 
Blithely  roved  the  Mother  then. — 
Unbesought  of  thankless  men, 
Could  her  soul  forebode  the  scene 
That  untenanted  demesne 
Should  for  their  redemption  show 
Through  her  own  unfathom'd  woe  ! 
[The  curtains  remain  open,  but  the  scene  becomes 
totally  dark,  and  the  Epoptae  are  heard  to  move 
inward  at  the  two  sides  as  the  HERALD  speaks.] 

HERALD 
Long  ye  waited,  nor  in  vain, 

The  all-envied,  blissful  state 
Of  Beholders  to  attain, 

By  the  view  initiate. 

Once  more  illuminated  the  scene  discloses  the  EPOPTAE 
seated  as  in  a  small  theatre,  behind  and  facing  the  thresh 
ing-floor,  which  forms  as  it  were  its  orchestra.  The  HIERO- 
PHANT  and  the  HERALD  are  not  in  view.  The  area  presents 
now,  in  place  of  the  former  emblems,  a  motionless  tableau  : 

[91] 


PERSEPHONE 


the  Mother  relinquishing  the  Daughter  to  the  custody  of 
Death,  who,  as  priest  of  the  dead,  seems  in  the  act  of 
severing  with  sacrificial  knife  a  lock  of  hair  from  the  child's 
head.  At  one  side  the  action  thus  represented  is  itself 
symbolized  by  a  tall  lily  growing  in  a  jar. — While  the 
figures  remain  motionless,  the  flower  is  seen  suddenly  to 
droop,  bend,  and  hang  down  with  wilted  stalk  and  petals. 

CHOIR 

Each  blessing  hath  its  price, 
Its  proper  sacrifice, 

To  nature  due. 
Whoso  receiveth  breath 
Oweth  the  same  to  death, 

To  aspire  anew. 

EPOPT^E 

[Rising,  as  they  chant  the  refrain] 
(  Whoso  receiveth  breath 
•<  Oweth  the  same  to  death, 
I      To  aspire  anew. 

CHOIR 

They  to  completeness  grown 
Dread  not  to  yield  their  own 
In  fated  turn ; 

[921 


EPILOGUE 


But,  when  the  scion's  flower 
Falleth  before  its  hour, 
By  grief  they  learn. 

EPOPT^E 

(  But,  when  the  scion's  flower 
•I  Falleth  before  its  hour, 
I      By  grief  we  learn. 

CHOIR 

Death  comes  to  set  thee  free  ; 
O,  greet  him  cheerily 

As  thy  true  friend. 
Then,  all  thy  fears  shall  cease, 
And  in  eternal  peace 

Thy  penance  end. 

EPOPT^E 

(  Then,  all  my  fears  shall  cease, 
•j  And  in  eternal  peace 
(      My  penance  end. 

[The  light  is  again  extinguished  and  the  voice  of  the 
HERALD  is  heard  in  the  darkness.] 

[93] 


PERSEPHONE 


HERALD 
That  which  seems  the  end,  ye  saw 

As  beginning  first  unfold  ; 
Now  its  lesson  and  its  law 

By  the  second  phase  behold. 


The  light  re-admitted  shows  the  Epoptae  in  their  seats  as 
before,  contemplating  the  Second  Tableau  :  the  Mother 
sunk  in  grief  by  the  Fount  of  Callichorus,  while  the  two 
daughters  of  Eumolpus  stand  by  in  an  attitude  of  consola 
tion  and  encouragement. — The  jar  which  held  the  flower 
is  in  plain  view. 


CHOIR 
Joy  and  sorrow  in  one  chalice  blended, 

Their  commingling  is  the  common  lot, 
From  the  birth-hour  till  the  struggle  's  ended, 

From  the  palace  to  the  shepherd's  cot. 


Long  the  Mother's  heaven  roll'd  bright  above 
her, 

Now  funereal  shadows  shroud  the  scene. 
Shall  at  last  the  soul's  new  breath  uncover 

Deepening  realms  of  azure  sky  serene? 

[94] 


EPILOGUE 

t-m**-' "^m-   > -mt*  <>•**»• 

EPOPT^E 

j.  Shall  at  last  the  soul's  new  breath  uncover 
(      Deepening  realms  of  azure  sky  serene? 

CHOIR 
Lo  !  no  more  on  slender  stem  the  lily 

Lifts  her  smile  of  frail  beatitude. 
'T  is  the  bulb,  low  lying,  dark  and  stilly, 

With  invisible  potency  endued. 

They  of  order'd  life  and  mood  unshifting, 
Whom  the  black  earth  seemeth  to  bewray, 

Powers  unseen  bestow  their  heart's  uplifting, 
Not  the  beckoning  phantoms  of  a  day. 

EPOPT.E 

Powers  unseen  bestow  our  heart's  uplifting, 
Not  the  beckoning  phantoms  of  a  day. 

[Again  the  scene  becomes  dark.] 

HERALD 
Oft  with  head  in  mourning  bow'd 

Those  despondent  hours  ye  knew  ; 
What  lay  hid  beneath  the  shroud 

'T  is  the  triple  turn  to  view. 

[95] 


PERSEPHONE 


The  light  restored  shows  the  Epoptae  contemplating  the 
Third  Tableau.  Hermes,  attended  by  the  Hours,  leads  the 
Daughter  to  the  Mother  from  the  Underworld.  —  Immedi 
ately,  from  the  jar  a  lily-stem  is  seen  slowly  and  steadily 
to  rise,  until  it  expands  again  into  the  perfect  flower. 

CHOIR 
To  confirming  graces 

Springs  the  soul  renew'd, 
Not  to  troublous  phases 

Of  incertitude. 

Now  such  radiance  it  beholds 
As  the  flower  her  fringe  unfolds, 

Rare  and  rainbow-hued. 


(  Now  such  radiance  it  beholds 
•I  As  the  flower  her  fringe  unfolds, 
(      Rare  and  rainbow-hued. 

CHOIR 
Who  their  thoughts  unprison 

From  inane  desire, 
Finer-temper  'd  risen 

Out  of  chastening  fire, 

[96] 


EPILOGUE 


They  hark  not  to  fickle  time, 
But  to  harmonies  sublime 
Of  the  eternal  choir. 


EPOPT^E 

{We  hark  not  to  fickle  time, 
But  to  harmonies  sublime 
Of  the  eternal  choir. 

[The  scene  becomes  dark.] 


HERALD 

Think  ye  't  was  all,  when  she,  whose  spell, 
Through  the  half-year  lost  above, 

On  the  unseen  dwellers  fell, 
Rose  again,  her  sway  to  prove? 


The  scene  is  again  illuminated,  and  while  the  Epoptae  still 
occupy  their  seats,  emblems  other  than  at  first  are  seen 
upon  the  area.  A  sheaf  of  wheat  and  the  winnowing-fan  are 
enwreathed  with  a  luxuriant  grape-vine  laden  with  ripe 
clusters. — The  HIEROPHANT  re-enters. 

[97] 


PERSEPHONE 


HlEROPHANT 

In  what  plow  and  sickle  earn'd 
Saving  lore  the  wise  discern'd. 
Bread,  of  bearded  grain  a  part, 
Furnish'd  forth  by  fire's  new  art — 
Not  alone  the  body's  food, 
For  reflection's  worth  it  stood. 
Gentler  views  to  them  were  lent 
As  o'er  the  upturn'd  glebe  they  bent, 
Watching  then  through  reckon'd  term 
For  the  green  uplifted  germ  ; 
From  the  kernel,  scatter'd  wide, 
To  the  bristling  country-side  ; 
Area  in  circle  worn, 
And  bullocks  treading  out  the  corn. 
Even  so,  their  fate  to  solve, 
Did  the  thoughts  of  men  revolve. 


Of  all  wisdoms,  most  profound 
Was  the  seed  with  harvest  crown'd 
Which  Triptolemus  renew'd, 
By  Demeter  thrice  imbued, 
From  Eleusis'  wave-lapt  glade, 
Round  the  waiting  world  convey'd. 

[98] 


EPILOGUE 


But  in  mind  a  region  lies 
That  pertains  not  to  the  wise, 
And  of  mystery  a  side 
To  reflective  thought  denied. 
How  should  discipline  sedate 
Avail  that  sphere  to  penetrate 
Which  cold  reason  probes  in  vain, 
Nor  can  subtle  wit  explain? — 
To  the  unbound  soul  alone 
In  ecstatic  vision  shown. 

On  this  holy  temple's  place 
But  a  pedestal  and  base 
Could  men's  aspirations  frame 
Ere  the  boy  lacchus  came. 

CHOIR 
lacch',  O  lacche  ! 

HIEROPHANT 
Every  human  effort  fine 
His  transfigurement  divine ; 
For  a  crown  and  coping  cast, 
The  supremest  and  the  last. 

[99] 


PERSEPHONE 

On  your  hearts  what  trammels  lay 
'T  was  lacchus  tore  away, 
Clove  the  mist  that  veil'd  your  eyes, 
Bade  the  struggling  spirit  rise  ; 

CHOIR 
lacch',  O  lacche  ! 


[Not  in  unison,  but  in  agitated  manner} 
lacch',  O  lacche  !  —  lacch',  O  lacche  ! 


The  HIEROPHANT  during  this  interruption  points  with 
his  staff  toward  the  area,  which  with  its  emblems  suddenly 
sinks  down  and  disappears.  The  Epoptae  direct  their  gaze 
with  rapt  attention  upon  the  chasm  thus  opened,  while  the 
speaker  continues. — The  music  is  now  of  flutes. 


HIEROPHANT 

Lifts  his  starry  torch  beyond 
The  black  vapors  of  despond, 
Where  looks  down  a  kindlier  sky 
And  the  fields  Elysian  lie. 

[100] 


EPILOGILE 


'T  is  lacchus  wakes  a  vision  than  Castalian  dews 

more  clear, 
And  of  them  whose  bosoms  hold  him  maketh  every 

man  a  seer. 

CHOIR 
Maketh  every  man  to  see  the  haven  of  his  mortal 

quest, 
With  ambrosial  winds  careening  past  the  Islands 

of  the  Blest ; 
And   the    spheres,    smooth-rolling,    breathe   their 

harmonies  divine  and  deep, 
When  his  sleep  becomes  his  waking  and  his  waking 

is  his  sleep. 

EPOPT^E 

r  And  the  spheres,  smooth-rolling,  breathe  their 
J      harmonies  divine  and  deep, 
]  When  my  sleep   becomes  my  waking  and  my 
I     waking  is  my  sleep. 

HIEROPHANT 

So  the  sage,  awaking,  welcomed  the  pronounce 
ment  of  his  doom  ; 

On  the  scenes  his  mind  prefigured  fell  no  shadow 
from  the  tomb. 

[101] 


PERSEPHONE 


CHOIR 
On  his  vales  of  contemplation  no  disturbing  image 

fell, 
More  reposeful   and   serener   than  the  Mead   of 

Asphodel. 
And  he  left  for  them  to  ponder  who  these  mysteries 

deny, 
Whether  dying  be  not  living  and  to  live  be  not  to 

die. 

EPOPT^E 

rAnd  we   leave  for  them  to  ponder  who  these 
J      mysteries  deny, 
1  Whether  dying  be  not  living  and  to  live  be  not 

I     to  die. 

HIEROPHANT 
Then,  as  the  dragon-fly 
Will  to  a  newer  sky 
His  filmy  wings  unfold 
Of  amethyst  and  gold, 
Let  your  freed  souls  aspire, 
Tuned  to  the  mystic  choir, 
To  hearken  and  to  view 
What  they  nor  heard  nor  knew, 

[102] 


EPILOGUE 

«»>,«-»•>.««.,.•••,.•— ...^—..,. 

Who  on  this  disc  of  earth 
Found  a  too  early  birth  ; 
Ere  yet  Demeter's  woe 
One  world  the  living  know 
Did  to  the  other  wed 
Of  the  reputed  dead. 


CHOIR 
Happy  the  man  who  once  these  sights  hath  seen, 

Ere  to  a  hidden  realm  the  call  he  hears  : 
He  knows  life's  end,  he  knows  its  origin  ; 

He  knows  the  mesh  work  of  his  mortal  years. 

What  though  in  spirit  destined  to  endure, 

Or  to  new  incarnation  rise  again? 
Except  the  recompense  were  large  and  sure, 

Not  even  this  bourn  might  his  frail  steps  attain. 

So  far,  so  far,  tried  virtue  turns  the  scale. — 
Now,  o'er  the  vista  thus  to  you  reveal'd 

The  Queen  of  Mystery  draws  her  solemn  veil ; 
Your  bosom's  gates  are  barr'd,  your  lips  are 
seal'd. 

[103] 


PERSEPHONE 

.«•»•.«••  .^•«-.>-—». 

EPOPT^E 
I  could  not  say  what  I  behold, 

'T  is  not  for  human  tongue  ; 
No  mortal  hath  its  secret  told, 

No  earthly  minstrel  sung. 

CHOIR 
The  lily  now,  and  now  the  rose 

Alternate  bloom  and  fade  : 
Now  on  her  cheek  the  day -beam  glows, 

Now  sinks  to  vesper  shade. 

EPOPT.E 
O,  't  is  no  evening  of  the  soul 

Upon  these  eyes  descends  ; 
A  matin  song  no  griefs  control 

Its  waking  vision  lends. 


[104] 


EPILOGUE 

••••MMMMM 

CHOIR 
The  Mother  lives,  the  Daughter  dies  ; 

'T  is  as  the  leaves  do  fall. 
Her  spouse,  no  regent  of  the  skies, 

Black-brow'd,  funereal. 


EPOPT^E 
His  frown,  the  ebon  crown  he  wears 

No  terrors  hold  for  me, 
So  long  that  sovereignty  he  shares 

With  pale  Persephone. 


THE     END 


105 


BERKELEY  and  URIAH 
CALIFORNIA 

1914,  1915 


UNIVEESITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 


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